Is engine oil flammable and explosive?
2 Answers
Engine oil is not flammable or explosive; it is classified as general solid waste among hazardous materials. Engine oil, also known as engine lubricant, is composed of base oil and additives, with the base oil being the main component of the lubricant. Engine oil is used for lubricating internal combustion engines, with its primary functions being to reduce friction and wear on moving parts, remove sludge and varnish from the engine, neutralize acids produced by fuel and lubricant oxidation, improve piston ring sealing, and cool the engine by carrying away heat from moving parts. The roles of engine oil are: 1. Cooling and temperature reduction; 2. Sealing and leak prevention; 3. Cleaning and purification; 4. Shock absorption and buffering; 5. Lubrication to reduce wear; 6. Rust and corrosion prevention; 7. Component protection.
This is a crucial issue. I always pay special attention to the safety of engine oil every time I service my car. Engine oil is indeed flammable, but it is not prone to explosion. The flash point of engine oil is around 200°C or higher, which is much higher than that of gasoline, meaning it requires a higher temperature to ignite. However, in daily use, such as when you spill oil on the exhaust pipe during an oil change or encounter an open flame during maintenance, it can still catch fire. When handling waste oil in the workshop, I always store it in dedicated metal containers, away from high-temperature areas and electrical circuits. Never pour it into drains or mix it with other chemicals. For storage in a home garage, it's advisable to keep it in a cool, well-ventilated area and have a small fire extinguisher on hand just in case. Although the risk of explosion is very low, once a fire starts, it can cause significant damage, so safety awareness should never be relaxed.
