Teak oil auto ignition

[cpedw]

I've been told that rags used with teak oil can burst into flames without being heated. I'm not going to doubt it in case it's true. Can anyone tell me, in simple terms, the mechanism that causes it?
Derek

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I don't believe that; has to be a source of ignition; the fact that it is "teak oil", is irrelevant

 

[earlybird]

Google auto ignition of oily rags.

 

[DownWest]

Fraid so, any organic oïl can auto combust with rags or other stuff ( in my case sawdust) A problem with luthiers and other wooden instrument makers who use linseed or other organic oils.

In Oban, probaly not to big a risk, but we burned half a field in temps over 30°C when a pile of sawdust that I had dumped some cooking oïl on lit off.
Looking at the WBF later in the day, explained the problem and had several victims.

 

[macd]

the fact that it is "teak oil", is irrelevant

Indeed it is, not least because what constitutes "teak oil" is anyone's guess. But next time you have a can of, say, Rustin's Danish oil to hand, do read the safety bumf.

 

[sarabande]

The most likely cloth to self-combust is natural, not poly, and natural not synthetic oils.

Bacterial action between the two creates heat, which in the heart of a bundle of rags, just increases until the ignition point of the cloth/oil is reached.

The first time I visited an engine room as a cadet, the Chief was adamant in pointing out exactly where we should dispose of our polishing rags - a big steel can with a secure lid.

 

[sailorman]

I don't believe that; has to be a source of ignition; the fact that it is "teak oil", is irrelevant

Offshore Yachts factory burned down due to teak oiled rags in a bin .
The same happens with linseed oiled rags.
lay them flat outside & or immerse in water
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=spontaneous+combustion+ot+teak+oiled+rags&t=opera&ia=videos
( did you see that -- managed a 3 liner that time )

 

[Poignard]

The most likely cloth to self-combust is natural, not poly, and natural not synthetic oils.

Bacterial action between the two creates heat, which in the heart of a bundle of rags, just increases until the ignition point of the cloth/oil is reached.

The first time I visited an engine room as a cadet, the Chief was adamant in pointing out exactly where we should dispose of our polishing rags - a big steel can with a secure lid.

I was Third Engineer on a bulk carrier loaded transporting steel scrap from Chicago to Rotterdam. The cargo included a lot of oily swarf and by the time we reached Rotterdam it had started to smoulder.

 

[Tranona]

Offshore Yachts factory burned down due to teak oiled rags in a bin .
The same happens with linseed oiled rags.
lay them flat outside & or immerse in water
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=spontaneous+combustion+ot+teak+oiled+rags&t=opera&ia=videos
( did you see that -- managed a 3 liner that time )

Well done! And useful relevant information. Keep it up.

 

[cpedw]

Well now I know what a luthier is (thanks Google) but WBF? Googling auto ignition of oily rags didn't help much.
Seems there are two hypotheses about cause of heating in oily rags - bacterial action or oxidation (is that applicable only to veg oils?) as the "drying" process. Are these theories in competition or do both exist as possibilities?
Derek

 

[DownWest]

WBF is the Wooden Boat Forum, over in the USA. I have heard of haystacks spontaneously combusting due to bacterial action, but I think the oily rag is oxidation, despite it being with natural (veg) oils.