The WD-40 Company (started as the Rocket Chemical Company) is a San Diego, CA-based multinational manufacturer of consumer goods whose flagship brand is WD-40. It is a well-established product that’s been used for almost 70 years to protect most metals against dust, rust, and corrosion.
The primary use of this product is as a solvent. WD-40 has several applications, including preventing metal corrosion, penetrating stuck components, removing moisture, and lubricating virtually anything.
In addition, it eliminates oil, dirt, and other contaminants from surfaces.
If you use this product often, you may have asked yourself, “is WD40 flammable” or wondered if there is any danger of it catching fire. While WD-40 does not contain highly flammable particles, the spray itself is flammable.
Here is everything you need to know about WD-40.
WD-40 – What Is It?
The bulk of water-displacing sprayers marketed and sold under the WD-40 brand name are manufactured in various places around the world, but the company is headquartered in San Diego.
WD-40 can be used for various purposes, including as a lubricant, a corrosion inhibitor, rust removal, as a degreaser, the application of a conformal coating, and the removal of moisture.
After all, WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula, resulting from the product being created after the 40th attempt.
There is a strong possibility that you already have a can stowed away somewhere in your house right now.
The product offers various benefits and may be used for many applications, but it is not quite a cure-all.
Is WD40 Flammable?
The spray of the product is flammable, even though the components that go into making WD-40 are volatile but not combustible.
It is very flammable when it is in the gaseous state and being propelled by flammable aerosol such as butane (due to the shift in surface-to-volume).
If you spray WD-40 close to an open flame or flare that is already burning, there is a slight possibility that the spray may catch on fire, which might then be carried back into the can, causing it to explode.
Because of this, it is vital to use WD-40 in a location that has sufficient ventilation and is free of sparks, flames, and any other sources of fire. The best place for this is an area specifically designed for this purpose.
However, the risk of WD-40 catching fire is not particularly significant. Therefore, even if it produces a tiny quantity of smoke and continues to burn with something that looks like a low-temperature flame without doing any considerable damage to the environment around it after being ignited, the WD-40 is nonetheless removed from the area.
At What Temperature Does WD40 Ignite?
The liquid phase WD40 flash point is 116.6°F (47°C), and its explosive limits range from 0.6 to 8.2 percent volume.
Is WD40 Explosive?
When sprayed from the can, WD-40 may cause an explosive mixture with air. If the concentration of WD-40 in the air is more than 0.6% but less than 8.2%, this can cause a highly explosive combination.
Is WD40 Flammable When Dry?
Since WD-40’s main components are petroleum distillates, WD-40 is combustible when dry and not flammable. If exposed to flame, it would produce a low smolder with little heat or smoke.
How Long Is WD40 Flammable?
WD-40 is only flammable while being sprayed and in the air. It is not flammable once dry.
Can WD40 Evaporate?
Even though around 20% of WD-40’s components evaporate after application, the lubricant itself does not evaporate (the additives allow the lubricant to reach its intended location).
What Are The Uses Of WD40?
There are many uses of WD-40, which is why it is found in many homes, businesses, and work sites. Here are just a few of the uses of this product.
Remove Rust
Spray and polish the circular saw, razor blades, or other metal tools to reduce corrosion and help with rust prevention. In addition, it may remove tar and other sticky substances from the tools.
Lubrication For Outdoor Tools
Spray WD-40 on shovels, spading forks, hoes, and yard shovels to lubricate them. The soil quickly rolls off, which is particularly useful while digging clay.
Cleaning Metal Appliances
WD-40 can give extra shine to metal appliances, such as steel sinks.
Cleaning Tiles In Your Home
This spray eliminates dirt from tile floors and dissolves spilled mascara, nail art, paint, and cosmetic defects. To clean the tiles, use some WD-40, wipe it away, and then use warm soapy water to give them a nice shine.
Softens Leather
If you want your leather furniture to be softer and have more flex, spray a bit of WD-40 onto it.
Remove Gum Easily
Using the spray makes it simpler to remove gum from the carpet and occasionally hair. In addition, this will save you from having to repair or replace the carpet, which can be both costly and time-consuming.
And if you have ever had gum in your hair, you have probably panicked about having to cut it out. But with a small amount of WD-40, you should be able to easily remove it and avoid that new, trendy hairdo!
Remove Crayon
Got kids who like to draw? You can use WD-40 to remove crayon that has gotten onto toys, floors, furniture, wall coverings, wallpaper, windows, doors, or television screens. The application of WD-40 should be followed by removal using a towel.
Remove Glue
Need help with removing sticky residue? If you have peeled off some masking tape, stickers from clothing or decorative items, or labels, you probably have been left with the sticky residue it can leave behind at least once. A small spray of WD-40 can get rid of this quickly and easily.
What Should You Not Use WD-40 On?
WD-40 is an excellent and practical product, however, every advantage has a disadvantage. So, even though WD-40 has several applications, it’s not ideal for every use. So let’s explore situations in which WD-40 should not be used.
On Any Locks
The spray may prematurely wear out internal gears, notably in needle tumbler locks, security systems, and padlocks. So instead, graphite powder is a more ideal solution.
On Electrical Devices
WD-40 should not be utilized to repair the keypads of iPhones and iPads. In reality, this spray has the potential to degrade the plastics on the exterior, and if it reaches the circuitry, it may also impair the plastic components.
On Hinges
WD-40 can eliminate the door hinge squeak, however, due to its nature, it will also collect dust and debris over time. In addition, your hinges may gather black stains as time passes.
On Bike Chains
When using WD-40 on a bicycle chain, dust particles may get attached. Instead, you should utilize lubricants designed for bicycles, which are often Teflon-based.
On Paintball Guns
WD-40 may damage paintball gun seals, causing the gun to break down over time.
On Certain Plastics
Clear polystyrene and polycarbonate plastic are a couple of plastics to not use WD-40 on due to damage potential. Polystyrene is used for various consumer packaging products like soft drink lids, styrofoam, and food storage containers. Polycarbonate is a transparent plastic used in beverage bottles, eyewear lenses, and greenhouses.
Summary
The answer to the headlining question is yes, WD-40 is flammable in its spray form. Furthermore, despite the company’s claim that the product is non-hazardous, it can occasionally cause substantial danger if misused.
Because of this, WD-40 should be stored away from high temperatures to prevent explosions and other possible risks. And use caution each time you employ it.