FIBER LASER CUTTING - FIRE & EXPLOSION RISK

The fire risk, is a low risk, if preventable measures are taken.

The Fire & Explosion risk comes from a Thermite reaction of a mixture of:
‘ferric oxide’ – ‘Iron (III) oxide’, otherwise known as Rust particles, fine Aluminium particles, 
particles that are created when cutting both Aluminium & Carbon Steel, they then mix on the  cutting down draught table, within the extraction ducting system, this thermite mixture can be ignited without an external source, but generally a spark in the Fiber Laser down draft cutting table or a spark within the extraction ducting system may ignite it.

Thermite reaction - defined as an exothermic reaction between a metal and any metal oxide'

1st is to understand this fire risk, principally it is that, if carbon steel & aluminium materials are  processed on the same cutting table, then there is always the possibility of a thermite reaction.

a) If a fire does occur within the Fibre metal Cutting Laser down draft cutting table, then it produces very, 
very high temperatures, circa 4,000° F, with lots of molten iron,  a Thermite Reaction requires no no additional oxygen, making in very difficult to extinguish.

b) If the fire ignition occurs in the Fibre Laser dust extraction system, this may cause an explosion, its likely that the dust extraction unit will be destroyed if there is no explosion panel.
The fire risk problems within the dust extraction system can be mitigated with Preventable measures.

Preventable measures

If Carbon Steel & Aluminium metals are cut on the same cutting table, then good housekeeping is required,
i.e., regular thorough cleaning of the Fibre Laser down draught cutting bed and within the dust extraction system.

Fire & explosion risk within the dust extraction system can be preventable with fire detection systems,
i.e., the fitting of  spark arrestor systems, Flame retardant filter bags, explosion panels 
in the dust extraction system/ unit.

Laser cutting produces particles, below 10 microns with low bulk densities

The synonyms of Particles are : dust, fumes