Don’t try this at home!

[billeblurzz]

Yesterday I had a water bottle rocket Cato going to 120psi!

 

[billeblurzz]

I’ve launched it several times at this pressure without problems. I guess the plastic became overstressed over time and gave way. The Cato was louder and scarier than any Cato of Estes, etc. motors. My wife in the house over 150 yards away heard the explosion!

 

[billeblurzz]

It blew apart my Chute Release and launched my altimeter aways away but I found them. Chute release seems to still work but needs some parts!

 

[billeblurzz]

I was next to it when it happened! I wonder if there is any difference in quality of the plastic 2 liter bottles?

 

[Bat-mite]

One, glad you are okay. Two, wish you had video!

 

[hcmbanjo]

I was next to it when it happened! I wonder if there is any difference in quality of the plastic 2 liter bottles?

I was told by the Air Command Water Rockets group (http://www.aircommandrockets.com/)
to only use 2 liter bottles that held carbonated water and carbonated sodas.
Carbonated bottles were made of a stronger plastic.

 

[billeblurzz]

Ok I will look into bottles with carbonated water! I think these only contained juice and were 80 cents at Wal-Mart. The blast broke 2 plastic zip ties around around the threaded neck of the bottle that weren't even near where the bottle split apart!

 

[boomtube-mk2]

When I first looked at the picture, I thought you had inadvertently hooked your water rocket to a vacuum pump.

 

[Grog6]

Something I always wanted to try with those: I found out years ago, while making tea, was that if you pour boiling water in a 2-liter bottle it will shrink back to looking like the preform they blow molded it from. Much thicker wall thickness.
I was considering a co2 bomb with one, but never got around to it.