In general, which material is considered more hazardous?

A material with a low Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) is considered more hazardous because it can ignite more easily in the presence of an ignition source, such as a spark or a flame. The MIE is a measure of the least amount of energy required to ignite a combustible substance. If this energy threshold is low, it means that even minimal energy inputs can lead to ignition, increasing the likelihood of fire or explosion in a facility handling such materials.

Conversely, materials with high MIE values require significantly more energy to ignite, making them inherently less hazardous in that regard. Inert and non-combustible materials do not support combustion, meaning they do not ignite under normal conditions, reducing their overall hazard when it comes to fire risks. Therefore, understanding the MIE of materials helps in assessing fire hazards and establishing appropriate safety measures in environments where such materials are present.