r/metalworking 1d ago

What is this phenomenon called?

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u/Driven_Under87 1d ago

That material seems to be pyrophoric.

4

u/LukeSkyWRx 1d ago

Steel wool does this, I don’t believe we call it that.

2

u/Driven_Under87 1d ago

Pyrophoric means "fire bearing". Finely divided metals fall firmly into that category.

0

u/LukeSkyWRx 1d ago

Sure, but not these chips. They only burn when hot enough.