Experimental study of electrostatic ignition of nylon 1010 material under high pressure and pure oxygen environment

Abstract

Polymer materials are prevalently used in the fabrication of oxygen equipment valves; however, they pose significant risks of ignition and explosion, often triggered by electrostatic charges. This study introduces a high-pressure electrostatic ignition test system designed to examine the electrostatic ignition behaviour of nylon 1010 in a pure-oxygen atmosphere across pressures ranging from 0.1 to 3 MPa. Experimental analyses revealed a pronounced initial flame phase during the ignition of nylon 1010, with its duration influenced by spark energy and oxygen pressure. The introduction of nylon 1010 into the electrode gap altered the channel morphology of the spark discharge, leading to shortened discharge durations and diminished energy-release efficiency in the circuit. Moreover, the investigation confirmed that increasing oxygen pressures substantially enhance the flammability of nylon 1010, showing an inverse relationship between the minimum ignition energy and the oxygen pressure. At an oxygen pressure of 1 MPa, the minimum ignition energy reduced to 149.21 mJ, significantly lower than the 1544.34 mJ required at 0.1 MPa. This study contributes valuable insights into the selection and electrostatic safety assessment of polymer materials in oxygen-intensive applications.