NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Explosibility of nano-sized metal powders.

Authors
Dastidar AG; Boilard S; Amyotte PR; Turkevich L
Source
2013 AIChE Spring Meeting and 9th Global Congress on Process Safety, AIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings, April 28, 2013, San Antonio, Texas. New York: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2013 Apr; :1-17
NIOSHTIC No.
20043096
Abstract
The explosibility of micron- and nano-titanium was determined and compared according to explosion severity and likelihood using standard dust explosion equipment. ASTM methods were followed using commercially available testing equipment. The explosibility parameters investigated for the size ranges of titanium tested include explosion severity (maximum explosion pressure (P max) and size-normalized maximum rate of pressure rise (K St)) and explosion likelihood (minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE) and minimum ignition temperature (MIT)). The results indicate a significant increase in explosion severity as the particle size decreases from <150µm with an apparent plateau being reached at <45µm and &le20 µm. Micron-size explosion severity could not be compared with that for nano-titanium due to pre-ignition of the nano-powder in the 20-L chamber. Explosibility screening tests were also performed on other nano-sized metal powders and similar results were observed for some materials. The likelihood of an explosion increases significantly as the particle size decreases into the nano range. Nano-titanium is very sensitive and can self-ignite under the appropriate conditions. A similar phenomenon was observed for some of the other nano-metals. Safety precautions and procedures for the nano-metal handling are also discussed.
Keywords
Nanotechnology; Dusts; Dust-explosions; Explosive-dusts; Explosions; Ignition-point; Metal-compounds; Metal-dusts; Metallic-dusts; Metals; Particulate-dust; Particulates
Contact
Ashok G. Dastidar, Fauske and Associates LLC, 16W070 83rd Street, Burr Ridge, IL, 60527
CAS No.
7440-32-6
Publication Date
20130428
Document Type
Conference/Symposia Proceedings
Email Address
Dastidar@fauske.com
Fiscal Year
2013
ISBN No.
9780816910755
Identifying No.
M082013
NIOSH Division
DART
Priority Area
Manufacturing
Source Name
2013 AIChE Spring Meeting and 9th Global Congress on Process Safety, AIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings, April 28, 2013, San Antonio, Texas
State
IL; OH
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division