Cracked scuba panel safety valve disc fracture analysis

Fracture behavior of a cracked safety valve disc mounted on scuba tank filling panel is studied in this paper. Experimental comparison of functionality between the safety valves with uncracked and cracked disc was done and, following that, cracked disc was further numerically investigated. Stress intensity factor (SIF), an important fracture mechanics parameter, was calculated for an array of edge crack dimensions, crack lengths and crack front angles using finite element (FE) analysis. Prior to that, FE model was verified according to available solutions for similar problems. Obtained results are valuable for predicting fracture behavior of a safety valve with cracked disc and as a reference in the design process of such discs.