Explosion Characteristics and Flame Velocity of Suspended Plastic Powders

− Many of plastic powders handled in industry are combustible and have the hazard of dust fire and explosion accidents. However poor information about the safe handling has been presented in the production works. The aim of this research is investigated experimentally on explosive characteristics of various plastic powders used in industry and to provide additional data with safety informations. The explosibility parameters investigated using standard dust explosibility test equipment of Siwek 20-L explosion chamber. As the results, the dust explosion index (K st ) of ABS (209.8 μm), PE (81.8 μm), PBT (21.3 μm), MBS (26.7 μm) and PMMA (14.3 μm) are 62.4, 59.4, 70.3, 303 and 203.6 [bar·m/s], respectively. And flame propagation velocity during plastic dust explosions for prediction of explosive damage was estimated using a flame propagation model based on the time to peak pressure and flame arrival time in dust explosion pressure assuming the constant burning velocity.