Possible thermite-like, moisture sensitive mixture using commonly available items

[Mushroombird8]

I was thinking about thermites and was wondering if a mixture of aluminum powder and copper sulfate would make something similar to thermite. will test this soon on a small scale.

[Mushroombird8]

update: attempted with .11g fine shredded aluminum foil and 1g copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4(H2O)5) at room temperature

Results: reaction was quick, but not explosive, with lots of bubbling but the reaction was not driven to completion. This was likely due to the copper passivating the reaction between the aluminum and copper sulfate. Will try later with fine aluminum powder, with anhydrous copper sulfate, and with molten salt.

[Crazy Swede]

Sulphates work like oxidisers with high temperature fuels but it is not a thermitic reaction per se. You need oxides for that  

Copper sulphate has a lot of crystal water and is therefore not that efficient. It is also acidic so never mix it with magnesium as it might spontaneously ignite!

Try sulphates of barium and strontium instead!

[FrankRizzo]

Barium sulfate and fine aluminum powder will make a flash powder.

[FrankRizzo]

If you'relooking for a water-activated energetic mixture, Google "negative x". It's a common chemistry class demo.

[gifovaco]

For what it's worth, I like Old-fashioned red/black Iron Therms...I use a mix of black powder / magnesium / and the therm mix to lead into the castings, that way a simple cannon fuse lites it up. I just press the Therm with my bonder and cast whatever I want to set up.....Just me...Have fun...