Thermite Reaction

Ferro/aluminum thermite, March 3rd, 2006. Thermite on a hard drive(50g) + thermite on computer(2 1/2lbs)+ burning of magnesium block = one hell of a night!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• thermite
• explosion
• experiment
• fire
• magnesium
• computer
• hard
• drive

[jmar1371]

I use thermite to ignite large rocket motors. You kids really shouldn't be playing with it. It can be quite dangerous.

[slither888]

Thanks for that Captain Obvious. So you make homemade rockets? You should take a look at my feeble attempt at a APCP rocket video.

[jmar1371]

You're very welcome, Sgt. Darwin Award.

Composites don't work well in end burning configurations. You need a much higher Kn ratio.

[slither888]

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?

[benbuby]

Yeah!!! Thats the best video i have ever seen!!!

[jmar1371]

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]

Kn is the burn surface area over the throat area. Get a book. Look up Bates grain geometries.

[slither888]

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.

[Orthrus]

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.