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Which mechanical consequence occurred when early steam engine boilers exceeded their design pressure limits?

A)Flywheel seizure due to thermal expansion
B)Piston cracking from cyclical stress
C)Catastrophic explosion from tensile failure
D)Condenser blockage from scale buildup

💡 Explanation

When early steam engine boilers exceeded pressure limits, catastrophic explosions occurred because hoop stress exceeded the tensile strength of the metal, resulting in rapid crack propagation and structural failure. Therefore explosion resulted, rather than seizure, cracking, or blockage which arise from other failure modes.

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