this post was submitted on 14 Apr 2025
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They’re referring to the relationship between surface area and combustion. Talc, for example, melts but does not burn. Talc powder can ignite if blown over an open flame.
My first thought was: "I must try this". I need to read my house insurance policy first.
Curiosity got the better of me when I waved an alcohol wipe over an open flame. There's still a dark mark on the office carpet tile from where I had to stamp it out.
Keep away from dust explosions, they are very uncontrollable because they ignite very fast and produce a lot of heat. It's technically not an explosion, but it definitely is an easy way to burn your house down.
Mythbusters did this with coffee whitener as I recall. Impressive.
This has also happened to sawmills and flour mills, under less controlled circumstances.