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Thread: Oily rags spontaneously combust?

  1. 06-03-2007, 07:15 PM #1
    [AK]Clay
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    Oily rags spontaneously combust?

    Most of us have probably heard of this story - oily rags in the trash can spontaneously combust, so be careful.

    What's the story on this? Are there certain types of oil and certain characteristics of how they were disposed that make this true? Is this true at all?

    Inquiring minds want to know.
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  2. 06-04-2007, 02:53 AM #2
    [AK]Abaddon
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    Good summation of it on this page.

    http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/ez.../webreview.cfm
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  3. 06-04-2007, 05:57 AM #3
    [AK]Squidly
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    Synopsis:
    Non-nut based, non-drying oils like motor oil and cooking oils are safe at room temperature.

    Nut based and/or drying oils like linseed are not. They produce their own heat during the drying process.
    The sun has fallen down
    And the billboards are all leering
    And the flags are all dead at the top of their poles.
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  4. 06-04-2007, 06:33 AM #4
    [AK]Brorlis
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    Interesting reading. Thanks again Clay for another mind logging topic on Monday morning =)
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  5. 06-16-2007, 03:55 AM #5
    HitMan
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    ?

    This sounds like it'd make an interesting Mythbusters episode.
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    -HM
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  6. 06-16-2007, 09:34 AM #6
    [AK]Sonic Boom
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    About a year ago my Mom had a tub of OxyClean (you know, the commercials with the screaming guy) next to her washing machine and it spontaneously combusted. The firemen had never seen anything like it before, but they surmised that some water or bleach splashed into it and then my stepfather plopped some clothes on top after work.

    Fortunately the fire didn't turn into anything big. I was pretty darn surprised when she called to tell me the story.
    Hasta,
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