Glass Failure Analysis Expert Examines Failed Champagne Bottle

Glass failure analysis expert performed a root cause failure analysis on a exploding champagne bottle. The user claimed that the bottle exploded when she was using her thumbs to remove the cork. Examination of the bottle revealed a horizontal crush point. This damage was severe and would not have survived the corking operation at the winery. Thus this damage was caused by a tool when it was used by the injured party to remove the cork. There was an indication that this bottle had been in the freezer prior to the accident. Thus, there was little or no internal pressure to aid in the removal of the cork. Thus a tool was used, and this caused the failure. The photograph on the upper left is of the salvaged pieces of the exploding champagne bottle. The photograph on the upper right is of the fracture initiation point and the failure origin.