See what happened when the MythBusters set off 1000 pounds of thermite, and see demonstrations of how thermite can cut steel girders, box columns, and bolts. See my video:
Hmm... interesting. I was under the impression that if I used a core-burning type it would burn way too fast using AP (to the point of explosion) Kn stands for?
Seriously, don't mess with composite propellants without a background in chemistry, and an experienced mentor to guide you. APCP is an extremely energetic material. It can cause harm. And not just to the user.
I just want to point something out about igniting thermite. I understand that magnesium strips are the easiest to obtain, but they're also rather dangerous. Since they're an excellent conductor of heat, they can prewarm the thermite before actually igniting it, and therefore causing it to simply explode. Use something safer than magnesium if you can get at it. Better yet, don't try this kind of crap at all.
I doubt the conductivity of the magnesium would heat it to a level at which it would ignite. Even burning magnesium has a difficult time igniting the mixture unless a divet is made in the powder at the base of the strip. But yes, KMnO4/glycerin is a better and more economical method.
It's not that it conducts heat to the point of ignition, but rather conducts to preheat the entire pile. The result is that rather than a portion being ignited and spreading in a reaction, the entire pile flash burns and therefore explodes. On top of that Magnesium is difficult to ignite, and requires oxygen so that it must be exposed to air. Windy conditions can diffuse it. It's not the best fuse there.
I've never heard of ferroaluminum exploding, but copper thermite does explode under some circumstances. It seems plausible, but unlikely. Btw, magnesium is so reactive that it will burn not only in O2 but also in CO2. It does tend to burn itself out despite that fact.
try coiling the magnesium ribbon around a pencil, and stick the coil under the surface of the thermite. this is usually a sure way of getting it to light every time
I may just have to try that. Usually to make it work I have to make a small cavity where the ribbon goes in so that it is still in contact with air and doesn't go out by the time the flame contacts the powder.
I supplied the computer parts for the it. I got the hard drive from my school. I also worked there as a computer tech person. One of the computers I got from my work and the other one came from school.
I work as a computer tech for some public schools, and I couldn't begin to tell you how badly I've wanted to do something like that to the pieces of shit I work on! :)
What the hell was that last thing you burnt? A nuclear tampon?
Man you guys are nerds but that was still cool. Check out mine where we melted steel bb's with thermite and it glows a nuclear green color (at the end). Don't know why it glows green but it's looks sweet : )
This has been flagged as spam show
See what happened when the MythBusters set off 1000 pounds of thermite, and see demonstrations of how thermite can cut steel girders, box columns, and bolts. See my video:
Incendiary Experiments
punxsutawneybarney 8 months ago
Yeah!!! Thats the best video i have ever seen!!!
benbuby 3 years ago
I use thermite to ignite large rocket motors. You kids really shouldn't be playing with it. It can be quite dangerous.
jmar1371 4 years ago
Thanks for that Captain Obvious. So you make homemade rockets? You should take a look at my feeble attempt at a APCP rocket video.
slither888 4 years ago
You're very welcome, Sgt. Darwin Award.
Composites don't work well in end burning configurations. You need a much higher Kn ratio.
jmar1371 4 years ago
Hmm... interesting. I was under the impression that if I used a core-burning type it would burn way too fast using AP (to the point of explosion) Kn stands for?
slither888 4 years ago
Kn is the burn surface area over the throat area. Get a book. Look up Bates grain geometries.
jmar1371 4 years ago
Seriously, don't mess with composite propellants without a background in chemistry, and an experienced mentor to guide you. APCP is an extremely energetic material. It can cause harm. And not just to the user.
jmar1371 4 years ago
I just want to point something out about igniting thermite. I understand that magnesium strips are the easiest to obtain, but they're also rather dangerous. Since they're an excellent conductor of heat, they can prewarm the thermite before actually igniting it, and therefore causing it to simply explode. Use something safer than magnesium if you can get at it. Better yet, don't try this kind of crap at all.
Orthrus 4 years ago
I doubt the conductivity of the magnesium would heat it to a level at which it would ignite. Even burning magnesium has a difficult time igniting the mixture unless a divet is made in the powder at the base of the strip. But yes, KMnO4/glycerin is a better and more economical method.
slither888 4 years ago
It's not that it conducts heat to the point of ignition, but rather conducts to preheat the entire pile. The result is that rather than a portion being ignited and spreading in a reaction, the entire pile flash burns and therefore explodes. On top of that Magnesium is difficult to ignite, and requires oxygen so that it must be exposed to air. Windy conditions can diffuse it. It's not the best fuse there.
Orthrus 4 years ago
I've never heard of ferroaluminum exploding, but copper thermite does explode under some circumstances. It seems plausible, but unlikely. Btw, magnesium is so reactive that it will burn not only in O2 but also in CO2. It does tend to burn itself out despite that fact.
slither888 4 years ago
I also agree that no one should try this without professional supervision and safety precautions. I don't condone any of my videos.
slither888 4 years ago
try coiling the magnesium ribbon around a pencil, and stick the coil under the surface of the thermite. this is usually a sure way of getting it to light every time
AirsoftLife 4 years ago
I may just have to try that. Usually to make it work I have to make a small cavity where the ribbon goes in so that it is still in contact with air and doesn't go out by the time the flame contacts the powder.
slither888 4 years ago
ok.... just make sure you don't drop the soap in jail
slither888 4 years ago
haha..told him off.
AirsoftLife 4 years ago
I supplied the computer parts for the it. I got the hard drive from my school. I also worked there as a computer tech person. One of the computers I got from my work and the other one came from school.
aaronbrown0403 4 years ago
I work as a computer tech for some public schools, and I couldn't begin to tell you how badly I've wanted to do something like that to the pieces of shit I work on! :)
What the hell was that last thing you burnt? A nuclear tampon?
joesmoe71 4 years ago
lol, it was just a block of magnesium :P
slither888 4 years ago
i just bought 21 pounds of FE203 and 7 pounds of 10-30 mesh Aluminum Flake with some mag tape to ignite it.
should make a total of 28 pounds of thermite, going to go shoot a deer and put 4 pounds on the deer.
gumby83 4 years ago
crazy hillbillys
supertact1 4 years ago
awesome video guys!!! it's funny to hear what you guys all say. anyway, - Matt remember to call me when you do it again, okay? thanks!!! -Kelly
Winnemuller 4 years ago
where you guys doing that all day!?
that would be an awsome way to spend a day.
turdwithau 4 years ago
lol, no- if only... I really only had ten pounds of thermite and a limited cash supply. But I would have loved to do it all day!
slither888 4 years ago
Pretty cool... - For anyone that has the money and time, i'd love to see something like a whole wheely bin full of the stuff go up!
ezsteve91 4 years ago
Man you guys are nerds but that was still cool. Check out mine where we melted steel bb's with thermite and it glows a nuclear green color (at the end). Don't know why it glows green but it's looks sweet : )
12creations 4 years ago
oh lol b/c i thought they were talking about the cost of the thermite lol but thats better ne ways.
piroflash93 4 years ago
very entertaining, this is the best night of my life!!! 40 dollars is not worth it hahaha lol nice vid
piroflash93 4 years ago
Thanks, the 40 dollars part was what one of my friends paid to see two girls to kiss :P lol
slither888 4 years ago
It's most probibly the sparkler that's you'r problem. lol... the magnesium strip made me laugh.
follower79 5 years ago
That was flippin' awesome! I loved the scene at night! True brilliance, that!
Bhoay 5 years ago
Probably crappy sparklers.
pyroNUKE 5 years ago
Magnesium ribbon is not sure ignition 'fuse'! Try to use a sparkler(if u use it protect the thermite mixture from the sparks! ;) It works pretty well
pyroNUKE 5 years ago
I really haven't had much luck with sparklers, I don't know if it's my thermite or just crappy sparklers.
slither888 5 years ago
Hmm, how did you get the Al for the thermite? Awesome video, by the way :P
thejanitor99 4 years ago
Ebay, pyrotechnic supply
slither888 4 years ago