Self inflammation

as self inflammation one designates an event, with which a material without obvious external influences is ignited, thus to burn begins.

To a self inflammation it can come, if sufficiently large quantities of easily inflammable material (z. B. Hay, coal, flour, oil-soaked rags) in a badly ventilated area store. If in this material a chemical reaction (z. B. Oxidation) or a biological process (z. B. Fermentation) runs off, with which energy develops for measure in the form of warmth and is not outward exhausted these in sufficient that, can it to a strong heating and finally to the self inflammation lead.

Some substances react already at room temperature under flame feature with the oxygen of air. Thus cesium , rubidium , white Phospor, many substituted Phosphine or also silanes catch fire at room temperature with contact with the atmospheric oxygen spontaneously.

In some cases the heat development can accelerate the expiration of the releasing reaction further, which still strengthens the danger of a self inflammation.

See also: Spontaneous human self inflammation