Is Aluminum Foil Flammable？

Aluminum foil is a thin sheet made of pure aluminum, which has a melting point of approximately 660℃ (1220℉). Aluminum foil usually does not burn easily in a typical household environment.

Will Aluminum Foil Catch Fire?

It will not catch fire under ordinary household conditions. But when aluminum foil is exposed to high temperatures, certain phenomena occur: It first undergoes melting, because the melting point of aluminum is lower than the ignition point of most flammable substances. The melting point of aluminum is approximately 660°C. Once this temperature is reached, the foil will begin to melt, become liquid, and may continue to burn if heated further.

Although aluminum foil can burn when melted, it will not burn as easily as paper or wood. Because aluminum foil forms an aluminum oxide film when heated, this film helps slow down the burning rate and reduces the amount of gas released when burning. Therefore, when aluminum foil burns, there will only be burning smoke but no bright flame.

What Temperatures Does Aluminum Foil Catch Fire?

Generally speaking, the ignition point of aluminum foil is about 600°C to 700°C, and it will not burn easily at all. However, if aluminum foil is placed directly on an open flame or hot surface, such as a stove flame or an oven heating tube, the aluminum foil may melt and burn due to excessive temperatures. In addition, when aluminum foil is in direct contact with flammable substances (such as grease) and cooked or baked, high temperatures may occur, causing the foil to burn.

What Happens When Foil Burns?

When aluminum foil burns, its surface heats up rapidly and begins to shrink, releasing combustion products (aluminum oxide and smoke) and emitting a pungent odor. It burns very quickly, especially if exposed to an open flame, and the fire will spread quickly. When the aluminum foil is burned out or the fire source disappears, the flame will gradually extinguish and the smoke will slowly dissipate.

Is Alfoil Harmful to People If it Catches Fire?

When aluminum foil burns, it releases substances harmful to the human body.
The smoke produced during the combustion process may contain aluminum oxide particles, combustion products and organic residues. The tiny particles and chemicals in these smoke can be inhaled into the respiratory tract and deposited in the lungs. Prolonged exposure to these harmful substances may cause respiratory irritation, coughing, wheezing and other respiratory problems. When aluminum foil catches fire, it will also release some harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. These gases are toxic to the human body at high concentrations and may cause dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, and even life-threatening conditions. It will also produce a lot of heat radiation and high temperature when burning, which can easily cause burns.
Therefore, burning aluminum foil is potentially harmful to human health. If an aluminum foil burning accident occurs, you should quickly leave the burning area and ensure ventilation.

How to Put Out Aluminum Foil If It Catches Fire?

If aluminum foil catches fire, try to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible with an appropriate fire-extinguishing tool such as a flame blanket, fire extinguisher, or dry powder fire extinguisher. In particular, do not use water to extinguish fires, as aluminum will react violently with water and intensify the fire. You can also use pot lids, sand, etc. to cover the aluminum foil to cut off contact with oxygen. Maintain ventilation after extinguishing the fire to diffuse heat and smoke to avoid human poisoning.

Will Fiol Burn in the Microwave?

It won’t burn, but it is not safe to use in the microwave. Aluminum foil is a metal product and is conductive. When placed in a microwave oven, an electric current may be generated under the action of an electromagnetic field, causing it to heat rapidly. In addition, metal reflectors (such as aluminum foil) inside the microwave oven can cause electromagnetic waves to form hot spots in local areas, resulting in local overheating and the inability to dissipate heat, increasing the risk of fire.

Will Aluminum Foil Catch Fire in Oven?

Aluminum foil is oven safe. Generally speaking, the temperature range of the oven is about 70-260℃ (160-5000℉), while the melting point of aluminum foil is 660℃ (1220℉), which makes it safe to use.