Magnesium Explosion

A Magnesium firefighting demonstration by Randy Denzer and Josh Anderson

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Randy
• Denzer
• Josh
• Anderson
• Firefighting
• fire
• explosion
• magnesium
• communications

[7410n0]

How much magnesium was used in the demo?

[rdenzer]

A Volkswagen engine block

[rdenzer]

1 3/4 rackline

[rdenzer]

Magnesium does not burn more when water is added. This is a demonstration to prove that water does in fact cool the magnesium below it's ignition temperature. While it is true that there are some dry powders available to smoother thee materials, water is still the primary agent for smaller magnesium fires. Magnesium is found in MANY newer vehicles. Special chemicals are not necessary

[ProphetChaser]

Magnesium + water = bad idea...try sand.

[resqjason2]

@rdenzer actually when you put water on a magnesium fire the burning metal actually consumes the water and splits it into its basic elements, hydrogen and oxygen, then uses it for fuel hence blowing chunks of flaming metal all over. if you put ALOT of water on the fire yes it does go out. but the first few drops that hit the fire actually make it worse for a few seconds

[resqjason2]

@BankaiIchigo12345 those crazy germans do it alot!!!!

[bkymic]

I got to witness a spectacular unplanned magnesium explosion up close and personal a couple of years ago in a pickup truck fire. I had full PPE on and i have to say it was pretty fun. I was on the nozzle and I just kept appying water and it went out after a few seconds.

[LizzyAston]

@BankaiIchigo12345 if the magnesium is made into an alloy it would have a much higher burning temperature

[BankaiIchigo12345]

What moron actually makes engine blocks out of MAGNESIUM!? Gasoline burns pretty hot in the engine, so it's a good recipie for lighting your engine on fire and burning up your car.

[ProphetChaser]

@iToasterman

It would seemed at first to be a good idea. But so far I have not read anything that supports that liquid nitrogen is a good agent to extinguish a magnesium fire. Liquid Nitrogen being inert and VERY cold should work, one would think....do you have any links to support your view?

[ProphetChaser]

@88Kamikaze69

It is not pure magnesium but an alloy with aluminum. Back in the day we called our wheels or rims "Mags" which is short for magnesium.

[iToasterman]

@ProphetChaser no, liquid nitrogen! :D

[marmaladekamikaze]

@rdenzer

That is not what is happening, you are essentially creating a greater hazard by adding an oxidizer to a reactive metal. The majority of the Magnesium was consumed in the incendiary reaction started by the addition of the water, the reaction also demonstrably propelled a large amount of the reactive metal around dispersing it in a hazardous manner. Counting on waters high specific heat capacity when it comes to materials that react with water is just plain hard headed.

[88Kamikaze69]

@rdenzer

Why the heck would anyone use magnesium for an engine block!? 0_o