- Author
- Tench, A. H. | Roder, H. M. | Clark, A. F.
- Title
- Combustion of Metals in Oxygen. Phase 2. Bulk Burning Experiments. Interim Report. April 1972-September 1972.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
- Report
- NBSIR 73-345, December 1973, 38 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- alloys | aluminum | combustion | ignition | oxygen | safety | stainless steels | steels | titanium | oxygen atmosphere
- Abstract
- This program was started to study combustion of the ordinary metals in oxygen, to provide information useful to designers of bulk oxygen handling equipment, particularly from the point of view of safety. We have studied the ignitability and combustibility of carbon steels, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, titanium and copper metals, in oxygen atmospheres up to 60 psig. We encountered a violent reaction involving burning stainless steel and aluminum, a thermite reaction apparently, and have investigated this from a quantitative point of view. We have tried throughout to study the quantitative aspects of the combustion processes, and related quenching effects. Ordinary steel and stainless steel burn quite readily at these low oxygen pressures, and the stainless steel-aluminum reaction produces intense heat, with severe damage to neighboring structures. We are at the stage where further investigations could be carried out quite expeditiously and on a sound statistical basis.