Thermite

[ronthepon]

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.

[UncleAl]

Why don't you tell us what the "required stuff" is and in what proportions wt-wt? Thermite minimum initiation temp is not unobvious.

[C1ay]

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.

[ronthepon]

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?

[C1ay]

Wafers? Thermite is a mixture. How are you making a mixture using wafers?

[Jay-qu]

best (and most dangerous) when ingredients are powdered and well mixed :shade:

[Queso]

yeah i've got some poweder sitting over there,

and some magnesium ribbon.

All i need now is a torch,

report back later-

[ronthepon]

I was thinking maybe doing it with wafers will slow the reaction a trifle bit...

[Jay-qu]

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:

[IDMclean]

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.

[ronthepon]

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...

[C1ay]

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....

[ronthepon]

Wafers won't let the reaction happen?

[Queso]

don't buy those cheap magnesium starters...

if you try to light thermite with that

you're going to lose your ****ing hands!

[ronthepon]

Well, I am planning to use a magnesium ribbon as a fuse.

 

Bomb style!!

 

Am I inviting death?

[C1ay]

don't buy those cheap magnesium starters...

if you try to light thermite with that

you'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.

[C1ay]

Wafers won't let the reaction happen?

That depends on what you're calling a wafer....