GLass Expert Discusses Glass Bottle Strength

Glass failure analysis expert performed bottle strength tests to determine the strength of a cylindrical glass bottle. The bottle is approximately 0.85" in diameter and 2.35" tall. The glass thickness is approximately 0.040" thick. It was hypothesized that a female could squeeze the bottle hard enough to crush it. Glass strength was measured by compressing the bottle both radially and axially. Upper left photograph shows the radial "squeeze test. The human hand is soft; therefore the test bottle was compressed between soft vinyl plastic tubing. In this orientation the bottle could withstand a minimum og 240 pounds force. The upper right photograph shows the "axial" strength test. Again, no hard surface touches the vial. Axially the bottle can withstand a minimum of 130 pounds. Even though the bottle may have many surface defects, it is strong because it is under compressive stresses. Because glass fails in tension, the cylindrical shape insures the highest strength. Because the bottle has no flat surfaces, it can withstand very high forces. No average female could generate sufficent forces with their hand to crush this bottle.