Nonsparking metals

Figures 11 and 12 detail the latch bar. Note that nonsparking metal is used for all fasteners and that the hardwood wedge in Section C-C is set in a full bed of caulking so as not to permit an open joint.

Doors in drying houses should be shut with clamps made of wood or of nonsparking metal. 

Nonsparking Metals. Certain low-melting metals such as aluminum, copper, tin, and lead are completely nonsparking. Copper-base alloys such as beryllium copper and aluminum bronze are classed as nonsparking, and Monel metal produces such low-temperature sparks that gunpowder, gasoline, or explosive gas mixtures are not easily ignited. 

Pure HN3 in any physical state and solutions is noxious and potentially explosive. Appropriate precautions are required during work. Plastics are the preferable container materials, but nonsparking metals may also be used [1, 2]. Materials not corroded by HN3 include glass, stainless steel, Al, Sn, Pb, Ti, Ag, and Au [2]. Other heavy metals are frequently attacked with formation of explosive azides [3]. While polyethene is inert to HN3, polyurethane, cellulose products, and plexiglass do react [4]. 

Pure aluminum, a silvery-white metal, possesses many desirable characteristics. It is light, it is nonmagnetic and nonsparking, stands second among metals in the scale of malleability, and... 

Beryllium is obtained by electrolytic reduction of molten beryllium chloride. The element s low density makes it useful for the construction of missiles and satellites. Beryllium is also used as windows for x-ray tubes because Be atoms have so few electrons, thin sheets of the metal are transparent to x-rays and allow the rays to escape. Beryllium is added in small amounts to copper the small Be atoms pin the Cu atoms together in an interstitial alloy that is more rigid than pure copper but still conducts electricity well. These hard, electrically conducting alloys are formed into nonsparking tools for use in oil refineries and grain elevators, where there is a risk of explosion. Beryllium-copper alloys are also used in the electronics industry to form tiny nonmagnetic parts and contacts that resist deformation and corrosion. 

A 2% beryhium mixture with copper produces a unique ahoy of bron2B that is six times stronger than copper metal. This ahoy does not give off sparks when struck with a hammer—a valuable characteristic when metals must be used in explosive gaseous envitonments. This ahoy sometimes contains smah amounts of other metals such as nickel or cobalt, which makes for excellent electrical conductivity for switching equipment, given the ahoy s simultaneous hardness and nonsparking qualities. Beryhium is also transparent to X-rays, which makes it ideal for windows for X-ray tubes. 

Black Powder possibly some dynamites can be initiated by sparks of a non-electrical nature such as those caused by metal-on-stone friction etc. Manufacturers of dynamite use nonsparking tools in their plants. This is probably... 

Copper is distinguished by several properties that contribute to its extensive use (I) a combination of mechanical workability with corrosion resistance lo many substances (2) excellent electrical conductivity, (3) superior thermal conductivity 14) effect as an ingredient of alloys to improve their physical and chemical properties (5) efficiency of copper and some of its compounds as catalysis for several kinds of chemical reaction (6) nonmagnetic characteristics, advantageous in electrical and magnetic apparatus and (7) nonsparking characteristics, mandatory for tools lor use in explosive atmospheres. There are additional attractions nf copper for many other applications. The metal would be used even more widely, hut... 

It is hard to imagine a world without aluminum-based materials. From the foil that we wrap leftovers with, to the cans that house beverages and deodorant aerosols, our world is inundated with applications for aluminum. The widespread use of this metal is a direct result of its availability - 8.3 wt% in the earth s crust, making it the most naturally abundant metal. The malleability of A1 is second only to gold, and it possesses other desirable characteristics such as nonsparking, high thermal/electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and high ductility. 

Beryllium (Be) is an alkaline earth metal found in the earth s crust at an approximate concentration of 3 to 5mg/kg it is poisonous and not necessary for human health. Beryllium alloys are lightweight, stiff, and highly electrically conductive. Beryllium as pure metal, Be alloys, and ceramics are used in a wide range of applications, including dental appliances, golf clubs, nonsparking tools, wheelchairs, satellite and spacecraft manufacture, circuit board... 

Two special copper alloys, beryllium copper and nickel silver, although only used on a small scale, contribute valuable metal properties for special uses. Two percent beryllium added to copper gives greater fatigue resistance to the metal and confers a nonsparking (on impact) quality to tools made of this alloy, important for impact tools in flammable or explosive atmospheres. Nickel silver, a copper/nickel/zinc alloy with an appearance very like silver, is important as the strong base metal for silver-plated tableware. 

To prevent accidental ignition of mercaptan vapors, employees working in handling and storage areas should not wear metal heel- or toe-plates on shoes. Nonsparking tools should be used when working on mercaptan equipment or containers. 

Miscellaneous tools and paraphernalia—A variety of small tools could be needed, as well as shovels, pickaxes, axes, rope, flares, emergency lights, sawhorses, a bullhorn, a chain saw, a metal cuffing saw, a bolt cutter, and a jaws of life metal spreader. Special nonsparking tools may be required where sparks may ignite flammable vapors. 

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