CRT implosions (was: Re: "screen mold")

[Jules Richardson]

Tony Duell wrote:
> At least one person here has used a thin wire to cut the bonding, then 
> removed the front piece of glass, cleaned it up, and rebonded it. It 
> sounds like a dangerous project to me, not only because the CRT could 
> implode while you're cutting it, but also if you don't get the bonding 
> strong enough when you put it back together and the CRT then 
> subsequnectly implodes, the results would be very unpleasant.

That does beg the question of under what conditions a CRT implodes. Do 
age-related implosions happen (or implosions for other reasons other 
than mechanical shock)? I've never heard of a CRT imploding, except for 
when physical damage has occured to it - but presumably it does happen.

In other words what are the risks - or is it a case of over-engineering 
in the first place to make sure (to a reasonable extent) that there are 
no problems out in user-land?

Also curious as to the extent of the outward blast / debris field (that 
sounds horribly technical but I can't think of a better phrase!) when a 
CRT does implode. I'd *assume* glass just extends outward a foot or two, 
but happy to be corrected there! (of course an explosion would be a 
rather different matter)

Actually, is the faceplate actually there for dsamage limitation reasons 
- or in fact there to help prevent implosion in the first place from 
mechanical shock? I imagine that coupled with the sealant layer it 
provides a reasonable damper if the CRT is dropped with face-down.

Any people on the list involved (past or present)with CRT manufacture 
who can provide more information?

cheers

Jules