Article by: Abhinav Tanksale, on 06 July 2023 at 05:14 am PDT

It's ironic how history repeats itself as the infamous Titanic met its fate due to material failure, and now a mission aimed at exploring the Titanic also faced a similar outcome, once again due to material failure.

The submersible "Titan" made headlines with its bold mission to travel under the sea to study the Titanic, but tragedy struck when it experienced a catastrophic implosion, resulting in the death of its five occupants. 

This case study explores the physics behind the implosion, highlighting the differences between implosion and explosion and discussing the impact of hull design on the outcome.  

Understanding Implosion:

An implosion is the opposite of an explosion, where the force acts inwards instead of outwards. When a submersible operates at great depths in the ocean, it faces immense water pressure exerted on its surface.

As the external water pressure surpasses the structural strength of the hull, the submersible violently collapses or implodes.

Violence of Implosion and Instant Fatality:

Implosions, like explosions, are highly violent events. When the hull of the submersible succumbs to the immense external water pressure, a significant amount of energy is released.

In the case of the "Titan," the implosion would have occurred suddenly and catastrophically. The occupants on board would have died instantly, without experiencing pain or being aware of what was happening.  

The Role of Hull Design:

The key factor in preventing implosions is the design of the hull, which must withstand the enormous external water pressure that seeks to crush it.

Conventional submersibles often utilize materials such as steel, titanium, or aluminum due to their well-understood performance under extreme stress. These materials have been extensively tested and are considered reliable choices for deep-sea applications.

Hull Design of Titan:

In contrast, the hull of the ill-fated "Titan" had an experimental design, primarily utilizing carbon fibers. Carbon fibers offer the advantage of being lighter than steel or titanium, providing more space for passengers.

However, the properties of carbon fibers in deep-sea applications are not as well understood. They have a tendency to crack and break suddenly under extreme stress.

Implications of the Design:

The experimental use of carbon fibers in the "Titan" introduced an element of uncertainty. Although they offered weight advantages, their performance under the intense pressures of the deep sea was not thoroughly studied.

Unfortunately, this lack of understanding and potential structural vulnerabilities contributed to the catastrophic implosion of the submersible, resulting in the tragic loss of life.

This incident highlights the importance of thorough understanding and testing of materials under extreme conditions to ensure the safety of crew and passengers.

Checkout a similar case study about Titanic - Dangers of material transitions