Years ago, I worked in a military trailer which I understood was made of
magnesium.  Next to the doors were large "Purple K" fire extinguishers,
which I was told was for magnesium fires.  (Actually, I was told to just
start running if there's a fire.)  Anyone familiar with those?

//Jack

Date sent:              Thu, 5 Aug 2004 14:22:24 -0500
Send reply to:          John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
From:                   John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:                Re: Use this for fire safetey... AND eliminate the fire hazard...
To:                     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> 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
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >
> >
> >