Spontaneous combustion

Spontaneous combustion is the self-ignition of a material. Spontaneous combustion starts when oxidation occurs within a substance, which releases heat. If the heat does not escape from the material, and the temperature of the material rises above its ignition point, spontaneous combustion will occur.

Materials which can spontaneously combust

• Haystacks may self-ignite because of heat produced by bacterial fermentation of the hay.
• Boiled Linseed oil can heat and ignite when exposed to air.
• Some types of coal are susceptible to spontaneous ignition.
• Stacked rubber artefacts, such as tires and some types of mattress can spontaneously combust due to friction.
• The element Sodium can appear to spontaneously combust, but this is a reaction to moisture in the air.

Safety

The threat of spontaneous combustion can be reduced by placing the material in a self-closing disposal can, or placing it in a pail of water.

Pyrophoric materials

Main article: pyrophoricity

Pyrophoric materials are substances which have an autoignition temperature which is below room temperature. These materials may ignite spontaneously when exposed to air or water.

In popular culture

• In the movie This Is Spinal Tap, the drummers of the band Spinal Tap are known to spontaneously combust.

See also

• Combustion
• Spontaneous human combustion

Sources

http://columbia.thefreedictionary.com/spontaneous+combustion

External links

Article on the spontaneous combustion of coal

Spontaneous combustion demonstration