ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 3 August 2009
Page Count: 16

Test Method for Quantifying the Ignitability of Metallic Materials

Chiffoleau, Gwenael J. A.
Senior Scientist and Test Facility Manager, Wendell Hull & Associates, Inc., Las Cruces, NM

Hooser, Jared D.
B.S.M.E., Wendell Hull and Associates, Inc., Las Cruces, NM

Newton, Barry E.
V.P. R&D, Wendell Hull and Associates, Inc., Las Cruces, NM

Colson, Alain
Group Senior Expert, Air Liquide, Champigny-sur-Marne,

(Received 12 December 2008; accepted 12 June 2009)

Abstract

Currently, no test standard exists for quantifying the ignitability of metallic materials in oxygen. Metallic materials are consistently used at oxygen pressures significantly greater than their associated burn limits. Oxygen fires are rare in these applications; however, they still occur and the proximity to ignition and fire for applications that do not experience fire is always unknown. A new test method for quantifying the ignitability of metallic materials in oxygen is described. The method uses a powerful electric arc to deliver a quantifiable amount of energy at the surface of a metallic sample and estimate the minimum ignition energy of the material. A case example is provided in which arc ignition test results were used to evaluate the ignitability of aluminum-bronze and to help support a particle ignition risk analysis of aluminum-bronze industrial control valves.

Keywords:
oxygen, ignition, metals, aluminum bronze, stainless steel, arcing, ignition energy, particle impact.

Paper ID: JAI102292
DOI: 10.1520/JAI102292
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