Friction spark generation and incendivity of several metal alloys

Abstract When metal alloys are used as mechanical equipment or tools in explosive atmospheres, the occurrence and incendivity of mechanically generated sparks as ignition sources should be taken into consideration. The formation of mechanically generated sparks was investigated for seven metals, including Q235 steel, 304 stainless steel, TC4 titanium alloy, 6061 aluminum alloy, H62 bronze alloy, AMAK3 zinc alloy, and AZ31B magnesium alloy. The relationship between the physical-chemical properties and generation and incendivity of friction sparks was evaluated. For 6061 aluminum alloy, H62 bronze alloy, AMAK3 zinc alloy, and AZ31B magnesium alloy, no bright friction sparks were observed in the maximum friction velocity of 12 m/s and maximum surface pressure of 3.75 N/mm2, because of low hardness, high thermal conductivity, low melting point, and the absence of carbon content. Ignition testing indicated that nano titanium dust layers with MIEL (minimum ignition energy of dust layer) of 1 mJ were not ignited by friction particles from the four metal alloys. However, bright particles were clearly observed for 304 stainless steel, Q235 steel, and TC4 titanium alloy. Friction sparks at the maximum power densities showed incendivity with micro titanium layers having an MIEL of 17.5–25 mJ but not with PMMA, corn starch, and wood dust having MIELs greater than 1 J. Two different particle burning behaviors with different fragmentation mechanisms during the friction process were determined, namely the micro explosion phenomenon for TC4 titanium alloy and particle burst for Q235 steel. Results indicate that the physical-chemical properties of friction metal rods are useful for preliminary evaluation of spark generation. Powder layers with known MIEL can be considered as indicator testing materials to evaluate spark incendivity.