Would the experts enlarge on the comparative response times of these safety fixtures, when used, for example, to protect from polymerization runaway reactions ?

Your best answer will come from the experts. Go to www.rupturepin.com or BS&B's web sit. Either the information will be readily available or you can use their links to contact them.

There is an interesting study report on the UK HSE website: see http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/otopdf/2002/oto02023.pdf

The title of this report is "Testing and Analysis of Relief Device Opening Times".

Alas, they don't talk about rupture pin technology!

But good information nevertheless.