aerosol cans

[filthiestfis]

If I light a matchstick/other source of ignition next to an aerosol can, what happens? will it blow up?

[lightoftruth]

well if you spray the aerosol on the flame then it will ignite. You only run the risk if explosion if when you stop spraying the flame gets sucked back into the can. If that happens well kiss your hand goodbye

[Peter Pedant]

Depends what the propellant is.

Nitrous oxide is used in the whipped cream canisters, and this will support combustion, but I dont think anyone isgoing to light cream canister.

As for suck-back blowing your hand off, I'm not sure. Ican think of good reasons why this would not happen (no oxygen in the canister in the first place, and it is pressurised so air/oxygen should not ever flow back]

[filthiestfis]

Thanks Peter, your reply sounds more logical!

[mibn2cweus]

Now for another precautionary answer.

If the contents are flammable you may have a nifty flame thrower for as long as you still have a hand (and face). It is not impossible for the valve to fail, especially when misused, resulting in explosive discharge of contents, say from meltdown? There is a quantity of explosive force in some canisters to potentially �raise the roof�, (not that I�ve done anything like this myself).

When �experimenting� with a potential bomb, there are any number of factors you may not have thought possible until you learn from experience, such as backspray, catching a wayward breeze or flammable curtains hanging at the other end of the room?

If you should choose to tempt fate, please have some regard for innocent bystanders and property. In spite of our ignorance we are nonetheless responsible for the consequences of our actions.


read this first and think again?