So am I to understand we could theoretically make tempered magnesium swords that explode when struck?
True, dust of combustable stuff can be very dangerous if it accumulates, and the things that will combust as dust are not terribly predictable. Eg, flour is a _serious_ explosion risk if it's mixed with the right amount of air.
> magnesium and titanium dust are very enthusiastic about combusting
Iron dust too. Make sure to keep it away from your pre-lit candles:
Don't let your rust and aluminum filings mix too well either. It's bad.
OK, this has gotten silly.
Almost ANY small particle in a light-density air suspension (dust cloud) will ignite. Certainly anything that oxidizes is prone to going WHOOF! around flames.
This includes non-dairy creamers, paint spray, insecticide sprays (canned or pumped), and sawdust tossed over a fire.
Both because you probably shouldn't breathe that shit in, and also magnesium and titanium dust are very enthusiastic about combusting. Everyone knows about magnesium but nobody knows titanium is almost as surly.