All Free. You can tell both words pertain to flames, but it's difficult to know whether they mean the same thing or are opposites. " The prefix in- in inflammable is not, however, the Latin negative. Note: The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has a very different definition of a flammable liquid and even more different classification. Combustible liquids have the ability to burn at temperatures that are usually above working temperatures. In fact, it is not classified as a. One of the largest causes for loss in process industries for both equipment and life is fire. Typically, alcohol that is 80 proof or higher (ABV of 40% or above) is flammable. Inflammable was the original word. If something is flammable it means it can be set fire to, such as a piece of wood. e. First, the structural formula and molecular bonding of the hydrogen are such that they are incredibly light reactors and combustible to fire. However, the terms flammable and combustible are often used interchangeably when, in fact, there are. ”. Flammable and inflammable are two words that cause confusion. In other words, they burn easily. If these products are not stored safely, they can easily ignite and start a fire. Ethanol is produced by fermenting fruits, vegetables, or grains. Both words derive from the Latin inflammare , which translates as “to cause to catch fire” . Synonyms for INFLAMMABLE: combustible, explosive, flammable, combustive, ignitable, fiery, ignitible, burnable; Antonyms of INFLAMMABLE: fireproof, incombustible. A substance is considered highly flammable if its ignition point is lower than 90 degrees F. Do the 2 words: 'Inflammable' & 'Flammable' mean the same thing? But the 2 words: 'Inexpensive' & 'Expensive' have opposite meanings? What is the…Diesel is flammable, according to the OHSA. 8 C). That may be set on fire; easily enkindled; susceptible of combustion; as inflammable oils or spirits. It is their vapours combined with air, not the liquid or solids themselves, that ignite and burn. Why doesn't it mean "to set on fire"? Podcast. But the prefix “in-” can also mean “on” or “into. ”. (of a situation) potentially violent. In air oxygen is mixed with. Ether is both very volatile and very flammable, so much so that most labs would prefer not to have it used anywhere where flames or. Your body can handle small amounts of isopropyl alcohol. This generally makes sense and sounds like good advice, but as I was. The first two mean the same thing, but one is preferred. inflammable. Flammable is the more recent and also the more common of the. However, if the proposed draft label has such a claim, the reviewer must check to see that the terms “Extremely Flammable” or “Flammable” do not appear in the Physical or Chemical Hazards section of the proposed label. In such cases, the rubber may melt or release toxic fumes. The most combustible solids are powdered, granular or pasty chemicals. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. USAGE Flammable and inflammable are interchangeable when used of the properties of materials. They include tetrachloroethylene, chloroform, hexafluoroisopropanol and water. Flammable and combustible materials are separated by their differences in boiling point and flashpoint. ”. A flammable material is something that can catch fire (ignite) readily at an ambient temperature. The common word meaning "combustible" is inflammable. In general, a substance is considered flammable if its flash point is less than 100°F (37. Some common non-flammable materials include water, sand, earth, stone, and metal. hazardous — full of risk; perilous; risky: a hazardous journey. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Suppose you build a lab that is perfectly isolated from the outside world, meaning that no impurities or gases. Flammable substances are defined as substances that will ignite and continue to burn when brought into contact with an ignition source. A flammable material is something that can catch fire (ignite) readily at an ambient temperature. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Metaphorically speaking, inflammable also can mean easily angered or excited. Due to its extreme volatility. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Cite. 2. both flammable and inflammable mean the same thing, isn't that crazy? messire lavoisel Saturday, October 25, 2003, 15:03 GMT "Inflammable" is the original word picked up from French and has always meant "liable to catch fire". (of a person) quick to become angry or violent. Flashpoint. Non-flammable means incapable of being ignited, not easily burned. And it is thus logical to assume that if “flammable” means “catches fire easily,” “inflammable” would mean the opposite. In the case of whether a lit match of a cigarette would start an immediate. Alcohol is just ethanol and water. According to the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, all flammable and combustible products must have a warning label. ”. Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. and is also often referred to as theInflammable definition: . Cite. "Inflammable definition: . Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. USAGE inflammable and flammable both mean “combustible. Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Intentionally igniting perfume is a really bad idea that can result in injury. But the good thing is that when once dry, it is not flammable. Improve this answer. The opposite of both words is non. Polyester resin, in particular, can be hazardous, both cured and uncured, because it can easily ignite. While people mix these meanings in everyday language (see below), I find it odd in a text concerned about precision of language. flammable now has certain technical uses, particularly as a warning on vehicles carrying combustible materials, because of a belief that some might interpret the intensive prefix in-of inflammable as a. Metaphorically speaking, inflammable also can mean easily. 3 - Flash point ≥ 23°C and ≤ 60°C. Potentially, this misunderstanding could be disastrous. So why are both of these words used when they seem like they would have the opposite definition, but in fact mean the exact same thing? The prefix “in-” does not always serve as being negative. Magnesium itself is non-toxic. dangerous — If something is dangerous, it is able or likely to hurt or harm you. A flammable material can be a solid, liquid or gas. It means capable of catching fire, combustible. If something is flammable it means it can be set fire to, such as a piece of wood. The antonym or word that means the opposite of flammable and inflammable is nonflammable. Flammable/inflammable. While the word may imply a non-flammable substance, it is a common misconception. They include tetrachloroethylene, chloroform, hexafluoroisopropanol and water. Some are commonly found in the outside world, in the home, or even in the classroom. why is inflammable and flammable the same word, I mean, come on with that. If a material won’t burn easily, you could say it is not flammable or non-flammable. In fact, most English words that begin with “in-” follow this pattern. Its root flammāre, which also means “to set on fire. It might seem like I am just splitting hairs, but that’s not really true. Diesel is. Share. A flammable liquid is a liquid which can be easily ignited in air at ambient temperatures, i. ”. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Some liquids are volatile but NOT flammable. FLAMMABLES. Learn more. 8°C)”. . The oxygen is what makes the fire burn at a much lower temperature, making the whole thing burn a lot hotter and faster. SYNONYMS 2. Inflammable comes from the Latin inflammāre, “to inflame. When vapors of a flammable liquid are combined with air in the right ratio, rapid combustion may occur in the presence of ignition. . What Does Flammable Liquid Mean? A flammable liquid is any liquid whose automatic ignition point or flash point is below 38 °C or 100 °F. " This older version of "infamous" came from Latin "infamosus" which meant "not well known. 4M subscribers in the NoStupidQuestions community. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. ”Inflammable and flammable both mean “combustible. However, rubber can still be a fire hazard if it is in close contact with a flame or spark. share. Flammable and combustible materials achieve explosive tendencies depending on two factors: the concentration of vapors or particles suspended in air as well as the presence of an ignition source, whether that be heat or a spark. Generally speaking, flammable liquids will ignite (catch on fire) and burn easily at normal working temperatures. What is the difference between combustible and ignitable? Flammable and combustible liquids are liquids that can burn. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. The use of inflammable as an English word can be traced as far back as 1605. But, on the other hand, Diesel fuel is graded as a combustible liquid. flammable now has certain technical uses, particularly as a warning on vehicles carrying combustible materials, because of a belief that some might interpret the intensive prefix in-of inflammable as a negative prefix and thus think the word means. flammable: [adjective] capable of being easily ignited and of burning quickly. This doesn’t mean, however, that you can keep Argon around a fire with no risks at all. Unstable liquid chemicals and certain types of fuel fall into this category. As a matter of fact, flammable and inflammable mean exactly the same — capable of burning. A liquid with a flashpoint between 100 o F and 200 o F is combustible. In fact, they say that you have much better odds of being struck by lightning than being caught in a. Lots of dead leaves underneath the plant (litter) Needle-like or very fine leaves. , 25- 35 °C. ”. The Free Dictionary advises using only flammable to give warnings: Usage Note: Historically, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing. So why isn’t inflammable the opposite of flammable?. USAGE inflammable and flammable both mean “combustible. ” The prefix –in in inflammable is not, however, the Latin negative prefix –in, which is related to the English –un and. They can catch fire, meltdown, and even release a lot of heat. Soot is the most easily burned form of carbon. In this case, rather than the prefix in- meaning “not,” as it often does, “inflammable” comes from the. The terms flammable and inflammable refer to substances that can quickly ignite and start fires. Some of the non-flammable nail polishes on the market include SOPHi Nail Polish, piggy paint nail polish for kids, and suncoat nail polish. In general, the relative hazard of a flammable liquid increase as the flashpoint decreases. To appropriately tell if Diesel is Flammable or not, both fuel liquids are Fire Hazard, the Gasoline is the typical Flammable liquid. See Usage Note at flammable. The trouble is that water is never flammable precisely because hydrogen is very flammable. Flammable materials have a flashpoint below 100°F (37. In general, the relative hazard of a flammable liquid increases as the flash point decreases. flammable; easily inflamed, excited, or angered : irascible… See the full definition. 3kPa. Inflammable means the same thing. highly inflammable chemicals. [ in- flam- uh-b uhl ] show ipa. Flammable and inflammable are both adjectives that mean easy to set on fire. "Flammable" did not exist. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a flammable liquid as any liquid having a flash point at or below 199. NPFA Flammable Liquids Class. Argon isn’t flammable. (of a substance, informal) explosive. Out of all the gases in our farts, hydrogen, oxygen and methane are the flammable ones. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. It really, really, will not burn. There are two types of water-based paints, which are latex and acrylic paints. So here, "inflammable" isn't meant to be parsed as in-(flammable) as in "not able to set on fire" but rather (inflamm)-able as in, "able to be inflamed. It does not act as fuel for the fire to burn, it does however act as the oxidizing part of the fire triangle. They are synonyms. 4. Inflammable substances are those substances which catch fire very easily and their ignition temperature is very low. That may be set on fire; easily enkindled; susceptible of. Inflammable. Water is the main component that is inflammable. Volatile means how quickly it evaporates. The word "inflammable" may be erroneously thought to mean "non-flammable". At temperatures above -44 degrees Fahrenheit, propane will. Fireproof These three terms Non-combustible mean the textile Non-flammable will not burn. Flammable liquid classes are designated by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and there are six classes total based on a liquid’s closed-cup flash point and boiling point: Class IA, Class IB, Class IC, Class II, Class IIIA, and Class IIIB. These six classes fall into either flammable liquids or. The derived word inflammable was so often misunderstood as non flammable due to the negative prefix 'in' that the Fire Protection Association started encouraging people to use the word 'flammable' instead in the 1920's. The in- has nothing to with the prefix meaning "not", but it's confused often enough that the letters are dropped in hazard symbols. As it has a far higher flashpoint than gasoline, however, diesel requires a far higher temperature and air pressure to ignite, as opposed to gasoline that needs merely a spark. flammable: [adjective] capable of being easily ignited and of burning quickly. Flammable is, however, often preferred for warning labels as there is less likelihood of misunderstanding ( inflammable being sometimes. Inflammable vs. Flammable definition: . Nonetheless, "inflammable" is often erroneously thought to mean "non-flammable". “Inflammable” is an adjective that describes something that is easily set on fire or capable of burning. Inflammable is derived from the word inflame (sometimes spelled enflame), and precedes the invention of the word flammable. Highly flammable: A material is considered highly flammable if it has a low flashpoint and can. Examples of inflammable substances are alcohol, petrol, liquefied petroleum gas and so forth. What does this fire symbol represent? The fire emoji is a flame that is mostly yellow with a little red on the top. 0. Learn more. Helium is an inert gas, which means that it is very stable and not very reactive. more simple. Capable of being enkindled into flame. And it is thus logical to assume that if “flammable” means “catches fire easily,” “inflammable” would mean the opposite. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Some people mistake the words as having opposite meanings. Share. Combustible materials typically require higher temperatures to ignite than flammable ones. There are a few types of rubber with different properties and. It does not act as fuel for the fire to burn, it does however act as the. 4 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). Also, inflammable has another meaning for which flammable is not a synonym. Inflammable definition: . the bright light of something burning. Yes, normal plastic is highly flammable. The melting point of fiberglass is very high, so do not expect it to start melting on a hot weather day. An inflammable substance or material burns very easily: 2. The lower the flashpoint, the higher the risk a liquid poses. Flammable and inflammable are two words that sound like they would have opposite meanings, but they actually mean the same thing. This article will explore the results of these scientific inquiries to determine whether the. On top of that, why the hell would you make the opposite of ‘flammable’ be ‘nonflammable’?Inflammable means to inflame, but no one says to inflame anymore. Also, inflammable has another meaning for which flammable is not a synonym. Very important. But also, "in-" sometimes means "not" so people got worried that if you put "This product is inflammable" on stuff, people would think it's fireproof and then accidentally light it on fire. You can tell both words pertain to flames, but it's difficult to know whether they mean the same thing or are opposites. Something that will NOT. The words flammable and inflammable are often misinterpreted as opposites. ‘Flammable,’ the new kid on the block, didn’t appear in print until more than three hundred years later. Inflammable and inflammatory can be confused with one another, but they also offer their own source of confusion with the prefix in-. Many people assume flammable and combustible mean the same thing; however, they are strikingly different. flammable; easily inflamed, excited, or angered : irascible… See the full definition. View all Topics. There is no difference in meaning between flammable and inflammable. CryptoDefinitions and Differences: Flammable vs. Flammable gasses can include methane, acetylene, ammonia, hydrogen, propane, and propylene. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Flammable vs Inflammable. that something can be set on fire. Both describe things that are capable of burning or easy to ignite, but in all modern varieties of English, flammable is preferred. IPA poisoning occurs when the liver is no longer able to manage the amount of IPA in the body. Alcohol-Based Sauces. Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow,. His eyes flamed with anger. why does flammable and inflammable have the same meaning? 5 comments. No, the problem with oxygen is, that while not being flammable, it is much more efficient in supporting burning. Inflammable comes from the Latin word inflammare, while flammable comes from the Latin word flamma. What’s even more interesting is that it’s not the liquid that burns, it’s instead the vapors caused by evaporation that ignite. What is difference between flammable and inflammable? If something is flammable it means it. In 2015, OSHA adopted the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification and labeling of chemicals. How do we know when to use which? Fortunately, I have an easy way to remember the difference. A flammable gas is a gas that burns in the presence of an oxidant when provided with a source of ignition. Business, Economics, and Finance. Both words derive from the Latin inflammare, which translates as “to cause to catch fire”. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. No, oxygen is not inherently flammable. In contrast, non-flammable means "not capable of burning". Gorilla Glue is highly flammable. Because it is made from fully oxidized silicon, the only way to get the glass to burn would be to raise the temperatures so high that the silicon-oxygen bonds broke down. Motor oil, on the other hand, requires a much higher temperature to combust. Is helium flammable? The answer is simply, no. A small flame burned in the lamp. When hydrogen burns in oxygen, it oxidizes completely, there’s no spare hydrogen left laying around to react with something else. USAGE Flammable and inflammable are interchangeable when used of the properties of materials. The reasons for the flammability of hydrogen are: Hydrogen doesn’t need any flashpoint to burn and ignite. Historically, the only word was inflammable, dating to at least the 16th century. In this case, rather than the prefix in- meaning “not,” as it often does, “inflammable” comes from the latin verb inflammare, which means “to cause to catch fire. In fact, helium (in its liquid state) is actually used as a coolant for things like rocket ships, MRI machines, and particle accelerators. That said, perfumes containing flammable solvents are a potential fire hazard. ] | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examplesThe short answer, yes propane is flammable. Flammable is a term that describes the ability for a material to ignite. 2. In reality, flammable and inflammable mean exactly the same thing—capable of burning. Flammable range is the proportion of vapor to air mixture that is ignitable and is expressed in. However, the flammability of alcohol and its dangers depend on its proof and its form. See examples of FLAMMABLE used in a sentence. 3M subscribers in the NoStupidQuestions community. Any liquid with a flashpoint less than 100 o F is considered to be a flammable liquid. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright. temporary or ephemeral. You should see oxygen rather as the substance that supports the combustion process rather than being a catalyst for it. In reality, flammable and inflammable mean exactly the same thing—capable of burning. A material is thus ‘inflammable’ if it is prone to catching fire! Fire! (Photo: RonaldPlett/Pixabay) ‘Inflammable’ is even the older word here. Flammable is the standard term in the 21st century. A substance is considered highly flammable if its ignition point is lower than 90 degrees F. The ethanol in alcohol, otherwise known as ethyl alcohol, is in itself highly flammable. Significance of Flammability Testing. Both words mean “easy to ignite or set fire to. In addition, perfumes are flammable because they contain alcohol, which can easily catch fire. This is all because of the flashpoint of diesel that matches OSHA’s definition of a flammable liquid. No. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Flammable liquids have a flash point below 100° F and vapor pressure that does not exceed an absolute pressure of 40 pounds per square inch (psi) at 100°; Flammable solids can cause fire from friction or retained heat from manufacture, has an. fiery, volatile, choleric. When these two elements combine, they release a great deal of energy in the form of heat and light. Stack Exchange Network. It does not undergo chemical. INFLAMMABLE definition: An inflammable material or chemical catches fire and burns easily . Dry, leathery leaves. Any aerosol that contains ≥ 85% flammable components (by mass) with a heat of combustion ≥ 30 kJ/g, and (if applicable) an ignition distance ≥ 75 cm (for spray aerosols) or a flame height ≥ 20 cm and a flame duration ≥ 2 s; or a flame height ≥ 4 cm and a flame duration ≥ 7 s (for foam aerosols). The dyes and other additives to provide color may increase the flammability of this kind of fabric. Then, you fill the lab with pure oxygen. Inflammable comes from Latin inflammare ("to inflame"), itself from in - (here meaning "in" or "into") plus flammare ("to flame"). There is no difference in meaning between flammable and inflammable. It is often used alongside combustible which also describes the ability to ignite—but one difference is that flammable materials ignite more easily and vigorously. Flammable, Inflammable; Tomato, TomahtoThat’s right, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing: capable of being set on. llama. Combustible liquids have the ability to burn at temperatures that are usually above working temperatures. "Flammable and inflammable both mean capable of burning. However, despite the fact that carbon is usually not flammable (technically), it will burn, and, in some cases, it will burn very well, indeed. Perfume is highly flammable but safe when used properly. capable of burning The words flammable and inflammable are often misinterpreted as opposites. 63 degrees Celsius and thus Benzene is above its flashpoint at room temperature or even storage temperatures in most. Let’s find out. Business, Economics, and Finance. ‘Nonflammable’ is the antonym. capable of being set on fire; combustible; flammable. SYNONYMS 2. There is a difference between isopropyl and ethanol, with the latter being drinkable alcohol. Does inflammable mean not flammable? Inflammable and flammable are synonyms and mean “able to burn” even though they look like opposites. In fact, many perfume products do not contain any flammable solvents. inflammable meaning: 1. Helium is the most perfectly inert of all the elements. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Yes, candle wax can catch on fire. Thus, the presence of hydrogen and oxygen makes plastic explosive and flammable. But you should keep Gorilla Glue away from fire. Inflammable is an older term. This is much less common or obvious, so much so that inflammable can all too easily be taken to mean “not capable of burning”, when it really means “very easily set on fire”. There are a couple of reasons why I felt it was important to look at the questions of whether helium is flammable, explosive, or both. Flammable, Inflammable; Tomato, TomahtoThat’s right, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing: capable of being set on. likely to become violent or angry…. "The combustibility ratio of HDPE is 25," Dr Nguyen said. Flammable liquids all have a certain flashpoint, which is the temperature at which enough vapor is produced to ignite when exposed to an ignition source. If a substance is flammable, it means it can burn at normal working temperatures. 1. What do you mean by flammable gas? A flammable gas is a gas that burns in the presence of an oxidant when provided with a source of ignition. The enormous volume and frequency of use of flammable and combustible liquids and gases handled worldwide implies that the risk of industrial accidents is great. Inflammable was the original word. According to OSHA, diesel has a flashpoint of over 199. However, it is defined by OSHA as combustible, rather than flammable. it has a flash point at or below nominal threshold temperatures defined by a number of national and international standards organisations. Flammable and combustible liquids are liquids that can burn. inflammable. I don't have an etymological explanation, but in this case I think the reason for this is that the "in-" in inflammable is part of the word "inflame". Very important. 4 degrees Fahrenheit (93 Celsius) (the benchmark that makes a substance flammable or not). Hydrogen is highly flammable and burns at very low temperatures in the presence of a naked flame or spark. Yes, gasoline can catch fire. ‘Inflammable’ has always meant ‘tends to catch fire easily’; but, because the prefix ‘in-‘ often means ‘not’ (as in ‘ineffective’)and for that reason ‘inflammable’ might be misinterpreted, ‘flammable’ has become the preferred alternative on warning labels. Examples of nonflammable materials include helium, glass, and steel. Both flammable and inflammable mean easily set on fire. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States Department of. The ethanol in alcohol, otherwise known as ethyl alcohol, is in itself highly flammable. Oxygen is not flammable, as it does not burn, it supports burning. More Like This Words that look like opposites, but aren’t Words that look like opposites, but aren’tThe flammability range provides a tool for mitigating the dangers posed by flammable vapors and the various substances that emit them, including many chemicals (such as gasoline) commonly used in occupational settings. Below this range, the substance is too lean to burn, and above it is too rich. Our word inflammable, it turns out, is derived from the Latin word inflammare, from which we also get the word inflame, which means to set on fire —. The meaning of INFLAMMABLE is flammable. In reality, flammable and inflammable mean exactly the. That would make sense—if inflammable had started out as an English word. Last edited: Jul 8, 2018. Flammable gases mix readily with oxygen in the air outside our buttocks and can catch fire easily, even at low temperatures. If something is flammable it means it can be set fire to, such as a piece of wood. because of the types of particles that. However, inflammable means that a substance is capabble of. In terms of occupational health and safety, flammable liquids and gases are often of greatest concern, because they tend to be the most volatile and storing them in a fire-safe way is more. Flammable gas means a gas having a flammable range with air at 20°1 (a)C and a standard pressure of 101. Immediately I can think of flammable and inflammable. Lithium battery scientists say that there’s roughly a 1 in 1 million chance of any given lithium battery exploding by itself due to an internal fault. Despite being made from alcohol, vinegar is not flammable. Remember, both “flammable” and “inflammable” mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. Generally speaking, flammable liquids will ignite (catch on fire) and burn easily at normal working temperatures. Workshop may have sparks or flames that would ignite that material, causing a fire. : capable of being easily ignited and of burning quickly flammable noun Synonyms burnable combustible combustive fiery ignitable ignitible inflammable touchy See all Synonyms &. Soul fire deals more damage than normal fire and does not spread. Ask away! why is inflammable and flammable the same word, I mean, come on with that. The term 'inflammable' [ɪnˈflæməbl] refers to something that is easily set on fire or likely to cause strong emotions or reactions. ” That isn’t totally true. liable to catch fire; readily combustible; inflammable. And that most of these fires will happen long after the battery has been disposed of. Historically, the only word was inflammable, dating to at least the 16th. Something that will NOT burn is nonflammable. Shaggy, rough, or peeling bark. Polymer, the main material of plastic, combines hydrogen and oxygen. Combustible Liquid Definition. Something that is flammable burns easily: 2. . The true answer is yes and no. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. ” Using nonflammable is one way to ensure clarity. A material that is not flammable is called nonflammable. The in- of incombustible is a common prefix meaning "not," but the in- of inflammable is a different prefix. Helium is an inert gas which is non-reactive, allowing for some unique uses from balloons and blimps to other industries with dangerous. Why does inflammable mean flammable? If something is flammable it means it can be set fire to, such as a piece of wood.