AntiMatter Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 The other forum I asked this on turned out to be a bunch of people popping off with "It's dangerous to play with thermite!!!!!!!!!" or "OMG FBI/ATF/DEA/CIA/DHS/EIEIEIOOOO will be looking for you for asking these questions!!!!!!!!!!!" Like I said there I am fully responsible for my actions taken with the experiments I conduct. #1:I want to find a suitable binder for thermite, I'm using lab grade Red Iron Oxide, and high grade pyro aluminum. Now the question is can I use the Dextrin Yellow powder I have on hand, or will the water used to mix with the Dextrin react negatively with the aluminum powder? #2In the past I have mixed Hydrogen Peroxide and Bleach together and made a strong and instant oxidizer. H2O2 + NaClO This solution has the ability to turn iron re bar into iron oxide sludge almost instantly. Now for the question: what would happen if I were to mix the H2O2 + NaClO (NaClO + H2O2 -> NaCl + O2^ + H2O) with Aluminum powder?
Mumbles Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 Aluminum really only reacts excessively in the presence of base. Things like nitrates don't work out because they're reduced to ammonia which is a base which perpetuates the reaction. I don't think you'll have a problem, but a little boric acid is a safety net to be sure. 0.5-1% dry in the solution, or using a 4-5% boric acid solution in water instead of straight water to wet the mix should both work. That being said, I have very little knowledge of bound thermite. The little I've read about uses CaSO4 as the "binder", but it's also partly the oxidizer. There are some other "thermitic primes" used in display pyrotechnics now and then which are bound with nitrocellulose. They're far from normal thermite, and are typically fairly flame sensitive. Mixing bleach and H2O2 would probably make pretty quick work of aluminum forming aluminum oxide or hydroxide ultimately. As I said before, aluminum really is quite unstable toward basic solution, of which bleach is quite basic.
Seymour Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 Are you interested in making some really nice, bright flares? Using "pyro grade Al", which I'm assuming means fine flake, your thermite is going to burn very much cleanly, with most reaction products forming smoke and sparks. If you want to get a good flow of Fe going, you'll need some much coarser Aluminium. Still, in my experience, thermite for "burning through things" is quite anti-climatic, and perhaps a good flare is more rewarding. For me, anyway.
AntiMatter Posted July 24, 2011 Author Posted July 24, 2011 Seymour, you're totally correct... I just tested a 75 gram 2/1 Fe/Al batch and ended up with an iron blob and no carnage. Another question, what if I up the ratio to 3/2 or 1/1?
AntiMatter Posted July 24, 2011 Author Posted July 24, 2011 (edited) Just for info, looked at the bag, and saw it was "3 Micron Dark Al Powder" I was hoping that insted of grinding up soda cans with a blender, if I were to actually use good quality Aluminum my thermite would be far superior to they typical highschool kid's wet dream... Well looks like the best isn't always the best HA! Here's the vid of the test Pics of end result:http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/krimlin/IMAG0249.jpghttp://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/krimlin/IMAG0250.jpghttp://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/krimlin/IMAG0251.jpg Edited July 24, 2011 by AntiMatter
AntiMatter Posted July 24, 2011 Author Posted July 24, 2011 Mixing bleach and H2O2 would probably make pretty quick work of aluminum forming aluminum oxide or hydroxide ultimately. As I said before, aluminum really is quite unstable toward basic solution, of which bleach is quite basic. This peaks my interests, mainly because I also have some Calcium Carbide and Calcium Carbonate, I'm interested in the reaction of Calcium Carbide with the Hydroxide CaC2 + OH-. I wish I still had access to a lab... Maybe my old HS teacher would work with me lol.
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