Fact Check: "Jet fuel melts steel beams"
What We Know
The claim that "jet fuel melts steel beams" is often cited in discussions surrounding the collapse of the World Trade Center towers during the September 11 attacks. It is true that jet fuel burns at a maximum temperature of approximately 980 to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit (about 527 to 815 degrees Celsius) in open air, which is insufficient to melt steel, whose melting point ranges from 2,500 to 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit (about 1,370 to 1,540 degrees Celsius) (source-1, source-6). However, the assertion that jet fuel cannot melt steel does not negate the fact that the heat generated by burning jet fuel can weaken steel significantly. Studies indicate that steel loses approximately 50% of its strength at around 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (593 degrees Celsius) and can lose up to 90% of its strength at temperatures around 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (982 degrees Celsius) (source-4, source-5).
The fires ignited by the jet fuel, combined with other combustible materials within the buildings, created conditions that led to the weakening of the steel structure, ultimately contributing to the collapse of the towers (source-1).
Analysis
The phrase "jet fuel can't melt steel beams" has been used extensively in conspiracy theories suggesting that the collapse of the World Trade Center was a controlled demolition rather than a result of the impact and subsequent fires from the planes. While it is accurate that jet fuel does not burn hot enough to melt steel, this argument oversimplifies the complexities involved in structural engineering and fire dynamics.
The sources that support the claim that jet fuel cannot melt steel beams, such as the article from Penn State (source-1) and Sheer Force Engineering (source-6), provide a clear understanding of the temperatures involved. However, they also acknowledge that the weakening of steel at elevated temperatures is a critical factor in structural failure.
Conversely, sources that argue against the conspiracy theory, such as the Verify article (source-4), emphasize that while jet fuel cannot melt steel, it can weaken it sufficiently to lead to catastrophic failure when combined with the structural damage caused by the airplane impacts.
The reliability of the sources varies, with scientific articles and engineering analyses generally holding more credibility than conspiracy theory websites. The consensus among engineers and fire safety experts is that the combination of the initial impact damage and the subsequent fires led to the collapse, rather than any form of controlled demolition.
Conclusion
The claim that "jet fuel melts steel beams" is misleading. While it is true that jet fuel does not burn hot enough to melt steel, it can weaken steel significantly, which contributed to the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. Therefore, the statement is True in the context that jet fuel cannot melt steel beams, but it is important to understand the broader implications of how heat affects structural integrity.
