Underground » Detection and Prevention of Fires and Explosions
This report was commissioned to examine the frictional effects of high tensile steel coalesced with copper.
Frictional impact experiments are conducted in a laboratory to compare two designs of high tensile steel strikers (steel grade AS 1444 - 4340). One striker type is blank steel and the other incorporates a central slot containing a copper insert (copper grade AS 1567 - C11000). A key objective of this project is to determine if the steel striker with the copper insert will reduce the thermal intensity of the frictional hot streak compared to the blank steel striker.
The experimental objectives are as follows:
· Comparative frictional ignition testing to ascertain if the amalgamation of steel with copper will reduce the possibility of igniting a flammable gas atmosphere;
· Comparative high frequency thermography analysis to quantify the temperature differential and thermal duration between both striker types.
The results indicate that frictional amalgamation of high tensile steel and copper will; reduce the chance of igniting a flammable gas atmosphere, and reduce the thermal intensity and duration of the frictional hot streak.
Copper could be incorporated within the steel body of underground coal cutting picks to mitigate the risk of frictional ignition.
It is recommended that further research be undertaken into the subject matter.