At What Temperature Does Paper Burn/Ignite/Combust?
Paper is said to burn at 451 degrees Fahrenheit (218 and 246 degrees Celsius), but the temperature at which it burns varies depending on the material, moisture, and thickness. Let’s take a closer look at the proposed paper burning temperature and see how it looks in the real world.
The Burning Temperature of Paper
Different types of paper may have significantly different numbers associated with them, and the age of the paper may also cause a variation in the burning temperature; however, unless you’re lighting a fire on the summit of Everest or at the bottom of the Marianas Trench, such differences are unimportant in most environments.
Ignition Temperature
The heat of a naked flame is much higher than the auto-ignition temperature of paper, and most naked flames are already very hot. The hottest part of a flame is not the tip, but the slight “blue” aura surrounding it.
Combustion Temperature
Ray Bradbury claimed that paper combusts at 451 degrees Fahrenheit in Fahrenheit 451, but modern evidence suggests that Bradbury’s Fahrenheit number is probably a little low. Old textbooks burn at around 481 degrees Fahrenheit, which isn’t a huge difference from Bradbury’s number. Most paper combusts at around 481 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hottest Part
While a book may catch fire at 481 degrees Fahrenheit, it does not burn at that temperature; rather, it burns much hotter, similar to our naked flames.
Ignition Temperature Of Cardboard
Because the ignition temperature of “corrugated board” is much higher than that of paper, and because cardboard is a heavier, more dense material that can insulate against heat more effectively, choose cardboard over paper as an insulating material.
Flashpoint
Cardboard has a flashpoint of 800 degrees Fahrenheit, while a cigarette has a flashignition temperature of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
Paper auto-ignites at around 481 degrees Fahrenheit, but with the right conditions and fuel, it can reach temperatures of up to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit, with nothing outside of the normal range when it comes to heat.
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What temperature do things catch on fire?
The temperature of fire can range from around 400 degrees Fahrenheit to 9000 degrees Fahrenheit (200 to 4980 degrees Celsius), depending on factors such as fuel source and oxygen content; there are even “cold fires” that will not burn you.
What is special about 451 degrees Fahrenheit?
The temperature at which book-paper catches fire and burns is a popular tagline for the book, but 451u00b0F actually refers to the auto-ignition point of paper, which is the temperature at which paper will burn if not exposed to an external flame, such as Montag’s flamethrower.
What temperature does cardboard catch on fire?
To be safe, keep your heat at the recommended setting of 170 degrees Fahrenheit; if you want to crank it up a bit more, that’s fine. Cardboard doesn’t catch fire until temperatures reach over 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
What temp does wood catch fire?
The temperature at which wood ignites is determined by how long it has been exposed to heat; wood usually ignites at 250u2013300 C.
At what temperature does water catch on fire?
Water boils at around 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit), and there’s not much below this temperature that has an auto-ignition point (and because boiling water has no flame, only the heat from the water can cause a fire).
Why is Fahrenheit 451 a banned book?
A school district banned Fahrenheit 451 because it contained the phrase “God damn!” The school board felt that this language was inappropriate for students to read.
Does paper actually burn at 451?
Bradbury’s title refers to the auto-ignition point of paper, which is the temperature at which it will catch fire without being exposed to an external flame. Bradbury claimed that “book-paper” burns at 451 degrees, and it’s true that different types of paper have different auto-ignition temperatures.
Why are books banned in Fahrenheit 451?
Books were forbidden in Fahrenheit 451, as a means for the government to control the public’s thoughts. Excuses such as offensive language and resentment over different levels of intelligence, which reportedly made people feel bad, were given as to why books were banned.
Will cardboard catch on fire in the oven?
To cut a long story short, the safest option is to avoid putting any cardboard in the oven; even at the lowest temperature setting, there’s a risk of spontaneous combustion or fire.
Can cardboard catch on fire from heat?
Cardboard can catch fire if it reaches a very specific temperature of 427 degrees, while most pizzas bake at or above 425 degrees, a two-degree difference that is a little too close for comfort. Newer ovens have better heating elements covered and circulate the heat, reducing the risk of fire.
Why does cardboard burn so hot?
Burning cardboard is dangerous because it is treated with chemicals and often contains inks, which can release them into the air or float up into your chimney, causing a chimney fire.
At what temperature will plywood ignite?
The rate of thermal degradation and ignition of wood and plywood depends on temperature and air circulation, but the following generalizations can be made: 230u00b0 to 302u00b0 F (110u00b0 C to 150u00b0 C): The wood will char over time, resulting in the formation of charcoal.
What temperature can wood withstand?
To answer a direct question with a direct answer, the flash point of wood is generally considered to be between 550 and 600 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this varies greatly depending on moisture content, humidity, type, and coating (i.e. stain, paint, etc.).
How hot can a wood fire get with bellows?
The gases burn, raising the temperature of the wood to around 600 degrees Celsius (1,112 degrees Fahrenheit), leaving charcoal and ashes behind.