More destructive air tank testing from 95

[Nate Laverdure]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

I was thinking a more realistic test might involve blunt force. Maybe fail it with a spring loaded (or pneumatic actuated) hammer to simulate an intake slamming into it.

This article is relevant to this discussion... emphasis mine.

The rate of loading for a plastic material is a key component of how we perceive its performance. High strain rates—events that occur over a short period of time—tend to favor the elastic properties of materials. Elasticity is associated with load-bearing performance as embodied in properties such as strength and stiffness. However, low strain rates—events that occur over a longer time frame—favor the viscous or energy-damping aspects of material behavior. Viscous flow is associated with energy management, often referred to as impact resistance or toughness.