Lith-X Powder

PYROPHORIC METALS

DOE-HDBK-1081-94

Spontaneous Heating and Pyrophoricity

pass, with a throttled application following once control is achieved. Typical

application densities are 3.6 kg (8 lbs) of copper powder per pound of lithium

for complete extinguishment of the lithium. An 18-kg (40-lb) lithium fire can

be fully controlled in 30 seconds and completely extinguished in 9 minutes.

Copper powder also has been used to extinguish magnesium and aluminum

fires.

Lith-X Powder

This dry powder is composed of a special graphite base with additives. The

additives render it free flowing so it can be discharged from an extinguisher.

The technique used to extinguish a metal fire with this agent is the same as

that used with Met-L-X. Lith-X does not cake or crust over when applied to

burning metal. It excludes air and conducts heat away from the burning mass

to effect extinguishment. It does not cling to hot metal surfaces, so it is

necessary to completely cover the burning metal.

Lith-X will successfully extinguish lithium fires and is suitable for the control

and extinguishment of magnesium and zirconium chip fires. It will extinguish

sodium spill and sodium fires in-depth. Sodium-potassium alloy spill fires are

extinguished, and fires in-depth are controlled.

TMB Liquid

TMB is the chemical abbreviation for trimethoxyboroxine. The agent contains

methanol to render it free flowing. It is classed as a flammable liquid for

shipping purposes. The liquid is colorless and hydrolyzes readily to form boric

acid and methanol. Contact with moist air or other sources of water must be

avoided to prevent hydrolysis.

This agent is applied with a specially adapted 9.5 L (2-1/2 gal) stored-

pressure extinguisher which delivers either spray or a straight stream. Typical

application of TMB to a metal fire yields a heat flash because of the

breakdown of the chemical compound and ignition of the methanol. A molten

boric oxide coating on the hot metal prevents contact with air. A stream of

water may be used to cool the mass as soon as metal flames are no longer

visible; this should be done cautiously to avoid rupture of the coating. Indoor

application (such as in machine shops) is not recommended because of the

large volume of boric oxide smoke produced. Boric oxide is only slightly

toxic.

While TMB has been used primarily on magnesium fires, it has shown value in

application to fires in zirconium and titanium. Although TMB applied as a

spray has been used to control small sodium and sodium-potassium alloy fires,

Pyrophoricity

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