Dry powders are most effective for which type of materials?

Dry powders are particularly effective for combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, and sodium. These materials can ignite and burn at extremely high temperatures, making them challenging to extinguish with standard firefighting agents like water or foam, which may actually exacerbate the situation.

Dry powder fire extinguishing agents are specifically formulated to smother the flames and interrupt the chemical reactions that sustain combustion in metal fires. They work by creating a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen in the air, thereby helping to control and extinguish the fire effectively.

While the other types of materials listed can be addressed by different firefighting agents, they do not require the specialized approach that dry powders provide for combustible metals, making dry powders the optimal choice in such scenarios.