Flammability

From Freepedia

Flammability is the ease with which a substance will ignite, causing fire or combustion. Materials that will ignite at temperatures commonly encountered are considered flammable, with various specific definitions giving a temperature requirement. The flash point is the important characteristic. Flash points below 200 °F (93 °C) are regulated in the United States by OSHA as potential workplace hazards. Examples of flammable liquids are gasoline, ethanol, and acetone. Diesel fuel is in one of the less heavily regulated flammability categories, and biodiesel is considered nonflammable with a flash point usually over 300 °F (150 °C), even though biodiesel will combust inside of a diesel engine.

The word flammable is of relatively recent origin, but has largely taken the place of the word inflammable, an older term with the same meaning. Some consider the older word misleading, since the prefix in- suggests (to some) that an inflammable substance would not ignite easily. Others consider the newer term an unnecessary innovation.