Definition

Noun: - Self-ignition of a material: The ignition of a substance (such as oily rags, hay, or coal dust) caused by a rapid internal oxidation process that generates enough heat to reach the material's ignition point without an external flame or spark.

Usage

This term is used to describe a specific chemical and physical phenomenon where a material catches fire on its own due to internal heat buildup. - It is a technical term common in chemistry, fire safety, and industrial contexts. - It often describes a hazard associated with improperly stored materials.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The fire department determined the warehouse fire was caused by the spontaneous combustion of improperly disposed linseed oil rags.
  • Farmers must store hay at the correct moisture level to prevent spontaneous combustion.
  • Spontaneous combustion is a serious risk in coal mines and storage piles.

Advanced Usage

• "to undergo spontaneous combustion": The process of a material igniting by itself.
  • Under the right conditions, certain chemical mixtures can undergo spontaneous combustion.

Variants and Related Words

• Spontaneous ignition: A synonymous technical term often used interchangeably with spontaneous combustion.
  • The textbook chapter on fire hazards covered the topic of spontaneous ignition.

Synonyms

• Self-ignition: Ignition caused by internal chemical activity.
• Autoignition: A technical term, especially in engineering, for the same process.

Related Phrases

• Risk of spontaneous combustion: The potential hazard that a material may self-ignite.
  • The safety data sheet warns of the risk of spontaneous combustion if the product is stored in large, compacted piles.

Noun

1. ignition of a substance (as oily rags) resulting from an internal oxidation process