ronthepon Posted May 19, 2006 Report Share Posted May 19, 2006 I was trying out to do a thermite reaction. I mixed the required stuff and tried to heat it to get the reaction started. Nothing happened.:) Does anybody have any idea what temperature I need and how to get it?I have tried using a direct flame of a bunsen burner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleAl Posted May 19, 2006 Report Share Posted May 19, 2006 Why don't you tell us what the "required stuff" is and in what proportions wt-wt? Thermite minimum initiation temp is not unobvious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C1ay Posted May 19, 2006 Report Share Posted May 19, 2006 You need about 2000°F to get it started. Try using one of those magnesium fire starters. Make sure you don't mind destroying whatever you have it in and whatever's beneath that because it could burn through the bottom and keep on going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2006 Why don't you tell us what the "required stuff" is and in what proportions wt-wt? Thermite minimum initiation temp is not unobvious. I'm using 8 parts heated-dried rust and 4 parts aluminium wafers. What's a magnesium fire starter? I'm doing the reaction on dry ground so that nothing is damaged. Any tips to help me do it better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C1ay Posted May 19, 2006 Report Share Posted May 19, 2006 Wafers? Thermite is a mixture. How are you making a mixture using wafers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay-qu Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 best (and most dangerous) when ingredients are powdered and well mixed :shade: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queso Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 yeah i've got some poweder sitting over there,and some magnesium ribbon.All i need now is a torch,report back later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 I was thinking maybe doing it with wafers will slow the reaction a trifle bit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay-qu Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 yeah i've got some poweder sitting over there,and some magnesium ribbon.All i need now is a torch,report back later-If we dont here from you by 1700hours we will send a search party to pick up the peices :eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDMclean Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 The mixture for basic thermite is: [math]Fe_2 O_3 (s) + 2Al (s) \rightarrow Al_2 O_3 (s) + 2Fe (s)[/math] [math]\Delta H= -851.5 kJ/mol[/math] This is one part Ferric oxide powder, evenly mixed with 2 parts Aluminum powder, both in powdered form, usually lit with a magnesium ribbon, like what is found in road side flares. The reaction is one of the most energetic known to man, so I highly suggest Stringent safety measures. This stuff will burn anywhere, in the ocean on the moon, anywhere. It contains it's own oxygen supply. I was reading that one can use a reducing agent such as:[math]2Mg(s) + O2 \rightarrow 2Mg^2^+(s) + 2O_2^-[/math] To make a more powerful reaction, also I've read that you can use:[math]Fe_3 O_4[/math] instead, again for more kick. This is more commonly known as Magnetite by the way. The waffers might work but you would have to melt down the Aluminum somehow, as it's the liquid state that matters. In any case I would highly advise that proper safety measures are used. Better to have proper formulae and proceedure than to get blown up by BS info I say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 The mixture for basic thermite is: [math]Fe_2 O_3 (s) + 2Al (s) \rightarrow Al_2 O_3 (s) + 2Fe (s)[/math] [math]\Delta H= -851.5 kJ/mol[/math] This is one part Ferric oxide powder, evenly mixed with 2 parts Aluminum powder, both in powdered form, usually lit with a magnesium ribbon, like what is found in road side flares. The reaction is one of the most energetic known to man, so I highly suggest Stringent safety measures. This stuff will burn anywhere, in the ocean on the moon, anywhere. It contains it's own oxygen supply. I was reading that one can use a reducing agent such as:[math]2Mg(s) + O2 \rightarrow 2Mg^2^+(s) + 2O_2^-[/math] To make a more powerful reaction, also I've read that you can use:[math]Fe_3 O_4[/math] instead, again for more kick. This is more commonly known as Magnetite by the way. The waffers might work but you would have to melt down the Aluminum somehow, as it's the liquid state that matters. In any case I would highly advise that proper safety measures are used. Better to have proper formulae and proceedure than to get blown up by BS info I say.Not to worry, I am Mr Careful!! By the way, will heat roasted rust be just [math]Fe_2 O_3 (s)[/math] or a mixture of [math]Fe_2 O_3 (s)[/math]and[math]Fe O (s)[/math]? I guess that wont make a gigantic difference... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C1ay Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 I was thinking maybe doing it with wafers will slow the reaction a trifle bit...It will likely prevent the reaction. A course mixture will slow down the reaction. I would caution against a mixture of extremely fine powders though except for maybe a small bit on top to help get it going.What's a magnesium fire starter?Froogle magnesium fire starter.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 Wafers won't let the reaction happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queso Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 don't buy those cheap magnesium starters...if you try to light thermite with thatyou're going to lose your ****ing hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 Well, I am planning to use a magnesium ribbon as a fuse. Bomb style!! Am I inviting death? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C1ay Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 don't buy those cheap magnesium starters...if you try to light thermite with thatyou're going to lose your ****ing hands!Not true. You can light the magnesium shavings with a simple fuse, no need to light them directly. They will burn hot enough to light the thermire though. A magnesium fuse is basically the same idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C1ay Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 Wafers won't let the reaction happen?That depends on what you're calling a wafer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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