Turpentine is a flammable substance found in a wide variety of paint and varnish products. This substance is best known for its use in oil-based paints and is commonly used as a solvent in various other products.
It is usually safe to handle but should not be near an open flame or smoking tobacco. If caution isn’t exercised when using Turpentine, the results can be devastating.
Turpentine is highly flammable. Starting at the temperature of 30 degrees to 35 degrees Celsius or 93-97 degrees Fahrenheit, it is vulnerable to fire. This temperature is also known as the flashpoint of Turpentine.
In this article, I will describe in detail the dangers of Turpentine and some interesting facts. So without further ado, let’s start.
We’ll discuss the following:
- So what Is Turpentine?
- What is Turpentine used for?
- Is Turpentine flammable when dry?
- What is the flashpoint of Turpentine?
- At what temperature does Turpentine ignite?
- Is mineral turpentine flammable?
- How long is mineral turpentine flammable?
- Is Turpentine good firewood?
- What should not be used to put out a turpentine fire?
- How Do You Put Out A Turpentine Fire?
- How is Turpentine collected?
- What are the dangers Of Turpentine?
Read also: Is Resin Flammable Or Combustible?
So what Is Turpentine?
According to Wikipedia, Turpentine is the clear, colorless, or pale yellow liquid produced from various species of pines. In its natural state, it does not contain additives, preservatives, or other chemicals that alter the fragrance and resins of trees.
Once extracted from a tree by technological methods, Turpentine distilled will be a liquid. But, as a stagnant or concentrated liquid, it can be mixed with other volatile chemicals that may further change its volatility and even its color.
These additives will also affect the odor of Turpentine and possibly alter some essential properties such as viscosity and boiling point.
Turpentine contains several different chemical compounds, including terpenes, hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols, esters, and other volatile organic compounds.
The chief components are alpha-pinene, beta-myrcene, cadinene, and dependence. Other lower amounts of oxygenated alcohols such as 1,8-cineole and camphene may also be present.
What is Turpentine used for?
Turpentine or pine oil is used for various purposes. Some of them are-
- It is used for removing old oil paint, oil color, and as paint thinner.
- It improves the quality of wood, reduces itching and keeps insects at bay, etc.
- It is used to preserve wooden artifacts and furniture.
- It is used in many industries such as aerospace, food processing, electronics, etc.
- Turpentine can reduce turbidity when a skimmer is placed over a set point to control water flows through a cooling tower. It does this by breaking up sediments and floating particles causing greater aeration within the treatment plant.
- Turpentine is also used in detergents to increase the frequency of contact between laundry oils.
- It is often referred to as a cleaner for aquarium fish tanks because it kills algae and bacteria.
- It is also used as a solvent to remove protein from food for commercially sterilizing cooking utensils.
- Turpentine substitutes are commonly used in paints to allow heating by an electrical resistance heater only instead – which means that turpentine paint will not be affected by the effects of heat on plasticizers etc.
- Turpentine can also act as a solvent to clean small parts/parts under tension, brass ring nuts, and other similar items.
I could go on with these thoughts about Turpentine for years if you like.
Is Turpentine flammable when dry?
Turpentine is not flammable if it is 100% dry. Because there is no oxidizing agent left to make spark and ignite. However, most of the time, we don’t have 100% dry turpentine.
So it is wise to say that Turpentine is flammable when dry because it is also possible that there may be chemicals in the Turpentine which would make it flammable.
When using Turpentine as a solvent, or cleaning agent for your home, remember to store it away from children and pets because of the harmful effects of inhaling vapors. Also, never use Turpentine to clean the inside of your chimney, as it is very dangerous.
What is the flashpoint of Turpentine?
Research published on ILO by WHO researchers, states that the flashpoint of Turpentine is from 30 degrees Celsius to 46 degrees Celsius.
Flashpoint means the temperature while an element is vulnerable against fire. This means the element can cause a fire if close to any spark. It can be used safely when the temperature is below the flashpoint.
At what temperature does Turpentine ignite?
Turpentine has a flashpoint ranging from 30 degrees Celsius to 46 degrees Celsius. That means Turpentine will ignite if it comes in contact with a spark. Below this temperature, Turpentine is good to use.
In the case of auto-ignition, Turpentine has an auto-ignition point of 220-255 degrees Celsius. That means if its temperature increases up to the mark of 220 degrees Celsius, it will auto-ignite. Auto ignite will no longer require a spark to ignite.
So never allow Turpentine to reach the auto-ignition temperature.
How long is Turpentine flammable?
Turpentine is a volatile flammable liquid with a high flash point. Turpentine will be flammable as soon as it reaches the flashpoint that is 30-46 degrees Celsius. If it reaches the temperature and starts the ignition, it will last until all the fuel burns out.
The time depends on how much Turpentine you have to burn. Remember that Turpentine fumes are also highly flammable and hazardous substances. Inhalation of Turpentine or skin contact can cause serious issues like respiratory irritation, skin irritation, eye irritation, vomiting, etc.
Is mineral turpentine flammable?
The answer is yes. Mineral Turpentine is flammable when it comes in contact with an open flame. When you pour Turpentine onto a match, the pressure forces it through open pipes into your room.
If there is no flame available for this to happen, then burning Turpentine can occur in all stages of its life cycle if oxygen becomes limited.
How long is mineral turpentine flammable?
Turpentine’s flashpoint ranking may vary depending on Brand and Manufacture. As responsible consumers do not believe the labels, mineral Turpentine will have a flashpoint around 30-46 degrees Celsius as turpentine oil. That means it will burn as long as the fuel remains.
Is Turpentine good firewood?
Turpentine is a fluid obtained from pine trees or other coniferous forests. It is used as a cleaning agent and solvent for paint, varnish, oils, and other natural resins. In small quantities, it can also be used as an insecticide and disinfectant.
However, it is also a highly flammable liquid. It is not good for firewood because it can ignite from a spark or even from a cigarette butt, and it will burn very quickly.
What should not be used to put out a turpentine fire?
Aside from the obvious, like water and butter, turpentine fires should not be put out with anything that is flammable.
Water can help extinguish most burned-out fires involving mineral turpentines such as camphorated spirits, kerosene, petroleum-based oils, or other flammable materials.
But you should not use water at very high temperatures. Because at higher temperatures, water breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen that will help to burn more instead of putting out.
How Do You Put Out A Turpentine Fire?
If a turpentine fire begins, the First thing is to smother it. The easiest way to do this is to place a wet blanket over the burning surface and wait for the flames to go out on their own.
If that does not work, you can spray water or extinguish it with a fire extinguisher or an aerosol (like hairspray). Rather you may use a blanket, dry powder, CO2 fumes, etc.
How is Turpentine collected?
Pine tree resins used in the production of Turpentine began during Medieval times when they were sold as astringent, antibacterial substances that helped soldiers to prevent head lice or Lyme disease.
The pine tree resin was produced by making incisions into the trunk of coniferous trees at least six years before the sap was collected.
The sap was most often used as material for producing Turpentine, with sulfur being added during the distillation process unless it dried out, in which case they would convert their raw contents into pitch oil without adding additional chemicals.
The turbine is collected by distilling the oil from the bark of certain trees. The process is similar to how maple syrup is made, except that instead of boiling water, wood chips are boiled in a large copper still to create pure Turpentine.
- Firstly, the wood (Turpentine wood/pine wood) is chopped into small pieces and soaked in water for a few days. After this, the chips are placed in a large copper still and heated to the boiling point of water.
As the wood boils, it turns into a thick syrup which is then collected from the top of the still by using an overhead pipe.
- This syrup is now called “turpentine” because it has been distilled from pine trees. It has no color or smell as it contains only one ingredient: pure Turpentine.
This practice continued until about 1900, when most commercially available Turpentine came from petroleum rather than plant materials.
What are the dangers Of Turpentine?
Turpentine as such has few hazardous qualities. They are-
- Turpentine is very volatile and will quickly evaporate, making it a potential fire hazard. It is recommended to keep the Turpentine in tightly sealed containers as well as away from heating equipment such as stoves or ovens.
- It contains alcohol, so those who have been drinking Turpentine might feel unconscious after consuming it. In fact, most of them probably notice that they have lost their consciousness & many go into a coma.
- It is highly flammable, so it should only be used within well-ventilated areas around a flame, candle, etc.
- The fumes from Turpentine may cause central nervous system depression and dizziness.
- Turpentine can also “burn” skin. But since there is no flame involved, one will not catch fire (turpentine burns only on contact with an oxygen source).
- Turpentine has a strong, pungent odor, which can irritate the nose (if one inhales too much) as well as the throat. It is advised to keep the Turpentine away from the nose as it will cause sneezing and coughing.
- It can also affect your ability to smell due to its strong odor.
Conclusion
It’s used in many DIY products and cleaning products. But what you may not know is that Turpentine can be extremely flammable when exposed to heat or flame. And it can catch fire very easily.
This means that if your turpentine bottle is left unattended, it could explode in an instant. That’s why you should never leave a bottle of Turpentine open, and it should be stored in a cool place away from sources of heat such as electrical devices or heaters.
You might also like
- Can You Burn Pine Wood In A Fireplace? (View full guide)
- Is Alder Good Firewood? (View full guide)
