Actually, if it's gone far enough to get the magnesium burning, then it
ain't gonna be a marshmellow roast!!

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Stan Wilder wrote:

>4) If enough CO2 is sprayed on the magnesium flame, it may be possible to
>chill the metal to a point below combustion temperature, but I personally
>have never seen that achieved.
>--------------------- Clip ------------------------
>How the hell do you get close enough to spray it with CO2?
>Ever seen magnesium burn ?................. it is exactly like 1000 welding
>rods burning at the same time.
>When you look at the fire you can close your eyes and still burn your
>eyeballs right through your eyelids.
>
>Stan Wilder
>www.engineceramics.com
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "John Rodgers" <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 11:55 AM
>Subject: Re: Use this for fire safetey... AND eliminate the fire hazard...
>
>
>
>
>>I almost agree with Stan on this.
>>
>>1) If the magnesium in the engine area burns, steel engine covers will
>>gain you some time to remove your valuables from the van. But the
>>likely-hood of putting the fire out is slim.
>>
>>2) Magnesium is so active at combustion temperatures it will burn under
>>water by splitting oxygen from the H2O molecule and consuming it, also
>>releasing hydrogen which will also burn so the fire department will do
>>little good.
>>
>>3) Magnesium will burn in a pure carbon dioxide environment, so CO2
>>extinguishers will do little good. Magnesium burns so hot, and at
>>burning temperatures is so chemically active a metal, that it will split
>>the oxygen from the CO2 molecule and consume it, thus the fire keeps
>>burning and tremendous amounts of pure carbon are released.
>>
>>4) If enough CO2 is sprayed on the magnesium flame, it may be possible
>>to chill the metal to a point below combustion temperature, but I
>>personally have never seen that achieved.
>>
>>During WW II engine manufacturers used magnesium extensively in the
>>aircraft engines, particularly the ones used in bombers, in an attempt
>>to make the engines lighter so the aircraft could carry a bigger bomb
>>load. Although there were fire suppression systems on board, pilots knew
>>that if they had an engine fire, it was a given they were going to lose
>>a wing, because with the wind of flight fanning the flames of a burning
>>magnesium engine case, the engie mount, aluminum skin and spars in the
>>wings were going to get hot enough to bend if not burn. Thus an engine
>>would come off the airplane and there would be wing failure and crash.
>>
>>Though all this sounds terrible and the implication is bad for Vanagons,
>>it is still prudent to do what one can to fire protect the vehicle, and
>>make it possible to salvage as much as possible in the unfortunate event
>>of a fire.
>>
>>I was told once about the  difference between a recession and a
>>depression. A recession is when your neighbor is out of work. A
>>depression is when you are  out of work. Statistically, not a lot of
>>vehicles burn, but when it's your's, that's 100% to many.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>John Rodgers
>>88 GL Driver
>>
>>
>>
>>Stan Wilder wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Steel engine covers will not stop the fire from going into the interior
>>>
>>>
>of
>
>
>>>your Vanagon.
>>>There are still magnesium parts on VWs. Like the fan shroud, tranny
>>>
>>>
>cases.
>
>
>>>Stan Wilder
>>>www.engineceramics.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
>