MarconiGomma blast caused by too much magnesium oxide

ERJ staff report (DS)

Milan -- reports coming out of Italy suggest the fatal explosion at MarconiGomma on 17 November 2008 were casued by using an excess of magnesium oxide in a fluoro-elastomer.

This combination leads to hot spots within the mix, which degrade the rubber, leading to emissions of gas. While this phenomenon is well known in the industry, and the information is available on the web, it was not highlighted on the data sheets available to MarconiGomma, and supplied by French distributor, Arnaud SA, part of the Azelis group.

It is suggested that Fabio Costanzo, production manager of MarconiGomma, who died in the blast shouold, perhaps have known better than to run this combination of ingredients.

The mixer was equipped with relevant sensors, but they did not detect the hot spots. Furthermore, the cooling systems in the mixer were adequate, but were not effective in this case, as they were located away from the hot spot location. No fault is attributed to the mixer.

The prosecutor, Marco Mescolini has reportedly sent notices of investigation orders to three people. These notices are usually sent prior to requests for trial. The three people involved are Jader Righetti, majority shareholde in Marconigommar; Tiziano Boselli, in charge of health and safety and Remi Magnet. legal representative of Arnaud SA, the Paris-based distributor of the fluoro-elastomer involved.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Marconigomma, tre avvisi di chiusura indagini La Repubblica (Italy)

Marconigomma, three notices of closure investigations Above story auto-translated into English (from Italian)

BOLOGNA: AVVISI DI FINE INDAGINE PER SCOPPIO ALLA MARCONIGOMMA Libero-News (Italy)

BOLOGNA: NOTICE OF INQUIRY FOR END TO BURST MARCONIGOMMA Above story auto-translated into English (from Italian)

Marconigomma, forse un errore umano La Repubblica (Italy) (20 March 2009)

Marconigomma, perhaps a human error Above story auto-translated into English (from Italian)