2141smh@aluxe.UUCP (henning) (04/19/84)
**** **** From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA aluxe!2141smh After I change the oil I always burn my oil soaked rags so they won't create a fire hazard in the garage. And they do burn, usually for about 15 minutes. I do the same with paint rags. Therefore I don't believe oil is non-flammable. It won't burn if you throw a match in it, but on a paper or cloth rag, it burns beautifully.
chim@ncsu.UUCP (Bill Chimiak) (04/19/84)
The point was about spontaneous combustion. If a rag is kept in an area with poor air circulation, there is some chemical reaction that occurs. It is an exothermic reaction. If left alone, enough heat is generated to create a fire. I saw a time lapse film on the process demonstrating this hazard. It is a real one. The point of the film was to never store a rag contaminated by oil.