Flammability Testing

The following is an SOP on writing a flammability testing specifically for magnesium however can be used for other metals with similar ignition temperatures and limited EHS risks.

Loss Prevention (Saftey)

• Magnesium burns at temperatures above 2000 °C, so care must be taken to avoid contact with the metal while burning
• Mg will give off a bright light that can cause eye damage welding masks or special eye protection should be used. Alternatively, avoid looking at the burning magnesium.
• Clothing should not be very flammable in case of sparking
• Water WILL NOT extinguish the fire but will make it worse. A bucket of sand or ideally a MET-L-X Class D fire extinguisher should be kept on hand to extinguish an out of control fire.
• Sand should be used below the testing environment in case the sample falls

Procedure

1. Gather clamp, ring stand, ring support, sand, propane torch, large baking tray, something to hold the torch in place (NOT UNDER THE Mg), and a stopwatch.
2. Set up the stand and propane torch as shown in the picture. This set up will be set up on the baking tray filled with about 2" of sand.
   

   Flammability Testing Set-up
3. Place the Mg wire into the clap such that the end of the wire will be covered in flame once the torch is ignited.
4. Have a second person hold the stopwatch while following directions to light the torch.
5. The flame should be consistent between measurements so take note of the flame used for the initial test and adjust subsequent tests to match.
6. Once the flame is lit and is in contact with the Mg wire, the stop watch should be started.
7. Watch the Mg wire and once a white light is observed the stopwatch should be stopped.
8. Turn off the torch and let the Mg wire burn out, taking care not to give the Mg wire fuel to start a larger fire.
9. Once Mg has burned out and is either in the sand or still in wire form remove from clamps and sand.
10. Either disassemble set up taking care not to mix sand again due to Mg contamination or set up for another test.