Thermite?

[ITCHI]

After searching here and many other places, video after video, reading composition after composition I am getting two different numbers for a basic thermite, 3 to 1 and 2 to 1.

I will be using Iron Oxide, Red fine powder and German Blackhead Aluminum powder igniting w/ Magnisium strip, which composition is the right one to use with these chemicals?

Any and all responses will be greatly appreciated.

[k1ley4evr]

Aluminium 1

Iron oxide (red) 2.96

[FrankRizzo]

Be aware that the reaction with dark aluminum will be *explosive*, and throw molten iron for a considerable distance. Magnesium ribbon is not a safe ignition source for a such a violent mix.

[oskarchem]

do you think taht KMnO4+ glycerine would be exothermic enough to egnite Mg Ribbon?? becaude if so you coud put some of that mix and put the Mg in the middle...

[crazyboy25]

yes it is in fact it is actually better than Mg ribbon but its harder to get.

[FrankRizzo]

A mix of the following, bound into a Hershey kiss sized drop with nitrocellulose lacquer and a piece of fuse inserted, will ignite thermite mixes readily.

 

Potassium Nitrate - 5

Aluminum Powder - 3

Sulfur - 2

[ITCHI]

Be aware that the reaction with dark aluminum will be *explosive*, and throw molten iron for a considerable distance. Magnesium ribbon is not a safe ignition source for a such a violent mix.

Well that's helpful to know.

I am expecting soon some 1600 mesh Al, is that a safer, non exploding option?

Also, when you say

"Potassium Nitrate - 5

Aluminum Powder - 3

Sulfur - 2 bound with NC"

Is that formed into a putty type mixture then dried or left loose and coated with NC?

[FrankRizzo]

An atomized aluminum powder will be less inclined to react explosviely, but 1600m is quite fine and will probably also react quite energetically. Use a fuse and igniter to maintain a comfortable distance.

 

Yes, add enough NC lacquer to form a putty that can be molded into chocolate drop sized chunks with pieces of fuse inserted while wet. The mix (a slow flash) can also be piled loose on top of the thermite without adding the lacquer.

[nick2354]

firstly i dont know much about pyro stuff but i did find an easy way to light thermite on pyroguide.com using only a sparkler

 

here is the link to page

http://pyroguide.com/index.php?title=Thermite

[whitefox77]

I too am attempting to do a thermite demonstration, on Thanksgiving day no less, and am also looking for a way to safely ignite the thermite. However, I have neither powdered sulfur nor NC lacquer, and probably not enough time to get it. I am new to pyrotechnics, but have decent chemistry skills.

 

I do have:

potassium nitrate

potassium chlorate

iron oxide

4 micron aluminum powder (Indian blackhead)

visco fuse

model rocket igniters (with controller of course)

magnesium ribbon

magnesium powder (I only have a few grams)

common household stuff, and what can buy at local store

 

I was thinking of trying to tightly coil a piece of the magnesium ribbon around the end of a 10 inch piece of visco fuse, and then putting the ribbon end in the thermite, but I'm not sure if the fuse will ignite the magnesium ribbon.

 

I was also thinking of using the powdered magnesium mixed with potassium nitrate, and wrapped into a piece of tissue paper. Pushing it half way into the thermite, Then igniting with the visco fuse.

 

As a last resort I could used powdered aluminum mixed with the potassium chlorate, but the chlorate is set aside for somke mix, and I'd mess up the mix if I used it. I've also don't think potassium chlorate and aluminum would be an incredibly stable mix.

 

Any information or idea's would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

WhiteFox

[whitefox77]

I also read on another forum that potassium nitrate & sugar (sucrose) mix (3 to 2 mix) will burn hot enough to ignite thermite. Has anyone tried this or know if it would work?