Phanteks Glass Side panel exploded/shattered

varkanoid

varkanoid

varkanoid

Soldato
Joined
31 Dec 2007
Posts
13,857
Location
The TARDIS, Wakefield, UK
As it was a nice day decided to clean our PC's, done this many times outside as you can blow the dust away. Did my two son's PC's outside (both have glass panels). Then took mine outside Phanteks 500A case. Took off the side panel and front and put them (in the shade) just as I had done with my two son's. Used my electric dust blower to clean the insides, panels etc. I picked the glass panel up and tried to slot it back on the pins (as it just lists off) had a bit of trouble then held the top in 3 fingers gripping whilst I used my other hand to guide it onto the pins then it exploded in my hand and shattered into bits!!! I am a bit of a loss how this has happened as its only 14c outside according to my external thermometer. I've cut my finger and thumb when it happened. Had to clean up all the glass to make sure the cat doesnt step on any. Only thing I can think of is the sun but when I was putting the panel on my body was blocking the sunlight. I dont think I will be doing that again in the sun, in the garage next time. Luckily I had a bit of perspex I could tape in its place.

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Got to be careful handing tempered glass, any hard uneven surfaces i.e. tiles cause it to shatter.

Many examples on reddit
 
Yulaw said:
Got to be careful handing tempered glass, any hard uneven surfaces i.e. tiles cause it to shatter.

Many examples on reddit
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It was in my hand though in the air touching nothing - I havent included the picture of my cut hand in case anyone doesnt like the sight of blood. :cry:

clone said:
Contact phantek they are very helpful Im getting a new top panel sent for my nv9 case.
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Yeah I have I will see if I get a reply.
 
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i'd bet money you've 'flexed/bent' the panel ever so slightly when trying to put it in - you might not have even noticed doing it. tempered glass goes off with quite a pop when over flexed (and it surprisingly doesn't take much of a flex before it goes pop)
 
Glass is toughened by increasing internal stresses. When it breaks those stresses release, and it explodes. It must have been damaged before, just not quite enough to cause it to collapse. Then you just applied the wrong force in the wrong place - the straw that broke the camels back.

This is a really fun example.


What happens is the salt on the surface starts to cool and sets solid. The interior cools and contracts. What you then have is something very similar to toughened glass. However, in the case of the salt, the core continues to contract and the pressure mounts. Eventually the surface is stressed too far and breaks. The stressed salt explodes. This is where it departs from glass - when the salt explodes, the heat in the salt rapidly converts water to steam and there is a secondary HUGE explosion. Sort of toughened glass on steroids.
 
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