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What`s the difference between flammable and combustible, explosives and blasting agents ?
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Posted By Wu
I am reading some standards of OSHA these days, but puzzling about the difference between them.
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Posted By paulw71
The difference between flammable and combustable are the temperatures at which they ignite and burn. Flammable will catch fire and burn easily at relatively normal temperature whereas combustables usually burn at much higher temperatures.
Blasting agent is a substance-mixture specifically used for blasting where as an explosive could be any substance that has the potential to explode (unintentionally).
I could have explained it better but I am tired.
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Posted By Anderson8
Yeah the above post is correct, Wu do you understand the flash point term?
Its the temperature at which the substance needs to be to release a vapour that will ignite and combust, materials like wood for example have a very high flash point,and need to be heated significantly before a vapour that will ignite is released. These types of materials are considered combustibles.
Things like white spirit can release this vapour at much lower temperatures so would be considered flammable, then you may have petrol which would release a vapour that will ignite even when it is stored at a temp of - 30c, maybe even lower, (not sure off the top of my head, so don't quote me) so petrol is considered highly flammable.
Hope this helps mate
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Posted By Dave Merchant
In OSHA-speak, "blasting agent" is more specific - it refers to an insensitive binary where the component parts are not in themselves explosive - to quote:
1910.109(a)(1)
"Blasting agent." Blasting agent - any material or mixture, consisting of a fuel and oxidizer, intended for blasting, not otherwise classified as an explosive and in which none of the ingredients are classified as an explosive, provided that the finished product, as mixed and packaged for use or shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a No. 8 test blasting cap when unconfined.
A binary which is cap-sensitive is defined as an "explosive" once mixed - it's all about the cap test, as a lot of binaries will detonate even if unconfined.
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Posted By Paul Graham Baskeyfield
The previous posts are essentially correct, however flash point is perhaps better described as the temperature at which a vapour/air mixture of the correct proportions (i.e. between the lower & upper explosive limits)can be ignited by a point source such as a spark. Using transport classification, a highly flammable liquid will have a flash point below 23 C & a boiling point below 35 C. Flammable liquids have flash points 23-60 C & a boiling points above 35 C. Combustible liquids have flash points above 60 C and boiling points above 35 C.
When one sets light to a pool of liquid, it is the vapour at the liquid/air interface that ignites & not the liquid itself.
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Posted By Wu
Many thanks for all above.
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