The extinguishing action of the Potassium powder Aerosol is performed by a fisycal action as well as a chemical action.
The fisycal action is due to the higher specific weight of the Potassium salts. These alkaline salts spread in the air with the Aerosol tends to stratify. As the alkaline salts have the property to be inert substances they hinder effectively the classic interaction between combustible and supporter of combustion that occur during the fire.
In the meanwhile the chemical reaction generates very strong and stable links between potassium radicals and free radicals produced by the combustion itself.
Due to high temperature of the flames, the aerosol undergoes an accelerated process of decomposition caused by the thermal effect, which in turn, is responsible for the formation of free radicals, the potassium atoms. These atoms which have the capability of capturing other free radicals which in turn are produced by the chain reaction of the combustion process, and in doing so cause its interruption.
It should be noted that, regardless of the anionic portion (bicarbonate) potassium proves to have a powerful inhibiting effect on the chain reaction thanks to the low potential ionization that characterizes it.
