Teflon with aluminum reaction (flash explosion)

Vigorous reaction of teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene) with aluminum powder.
3 CF2 + 2 Al = 2 AlF3 + 3 C
Experimental proof, that teflon isn't so inert as it seems.
(Mixture was initiated by magnesium ribbon)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• teflon
• aluminum
• flash
• explosion
• flame
• mixture
• polytetrafluoroethylene

[Mrpsychotehpyro]

Chances are the smoke is extremely toxic....exetremely as in breath and die.....

The PTFE is not going to be reduced fully...some will break down thermally and realease some nasty stuff.....

[hawkzn]

@Mrpsychotehpyro Yes, probably it is bad idea to try this experiment at home, but on the other side practicaly all kinds of smoke from pyrotechnic mixtures are toxic. It also depends on amount of mixture. Burning few grams outside is quite safe.

[Mrpsychotehpyro]

@hawkzn

Yeah , most likely.

Still, it was forbidden to smoke in companys that machine Teflon long before smoking at the workplace was banned in general. Why : Breathing in Teflon dust through a cigarette is poison.....

Or take the case of a welder: Got almost killed because he welded parts that had been cleaned with Tetrachloromethane or something like that and hit a spot that was still wet with solvent---> Say hello to phosgene......ouch.....

Do it downwind^^

[hawkzn]

@Mrpsychotehpyro Tetrachloromethane is poison itself. And its true, that solvent like chloroform ,DCM or tetrachloromethane can generate things like e.g. phosgene. Thats the reason why i dont like some smoke bomb mixtures based on these. Also some kind of extinguishers, that are based on freons, must not be used when people are inside room.

[gladitsnotme]

... later that day...

NBC News at 9: "We are live on the scene of a mass bird die-off in the 5400 block of Stonedisc Lane."

[reatard132]

@hawkzn ok thanks a ton man, i'l just use a blow tortch on a stick... lol best way to light stuff and is hard to put out +tons of heat.

[hawkzn]

@reatard132 Be safe and take long magnesium ribbon or christmas sparkler. Reaction is really exotermic and its really bad idea to use matches or lighter directly. The smoke also coud be toxic. So be afraid.

[reatard132]

@hawkzn ok, i can shave everything down to a powder, Hum, the pyro is coming out in me! thanks a ton!

[hawkzn]

@reatard132 Probably yes. The mixture must be well homogenized and aluminum shavings must be quite fine. I usually use aluminum powder.

[reatard132]

so if i mix, teflon tape shavings, and Aluminum powder from a car engine head shavings. will it make that??