EXPLOSION OF IRON HYDROGEN STORAGE CONTAINERS 120 YEARS AGO – Investigations Revisited

An interesting  publication in “Engineering Failure Analysis” available online 24 April 2014.

A nearly authentic translation of Adolf Martenś investigation report on the failure of numerous hydrogen storage cylinders is provided.

• Explosion of the iron containers caused immense destruction on the air field Berlin-Tempelhof in 1894.
• The translation reveals very detailed experimental procedures and at that time quite modern materials testing technologies.
• The importance of Adolf Martens as a pioneer in conducting failure investigations becomes obvious.