Comments on: APPLIED exothermia!

by: Major Malfunction

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:22:12 +0000

Speaking of thermite, I recently saw a Mythbusters thing with thermite and ice. They couldn't explain why it goes KABOOOM!

Interested in your take, Dan.

by: Daniel Rutter

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:44:22 +0000

a box of the thermite heating patches used in portable soldering irons

Just the other day, Theodore Gray added something similar to this to the Iron section of the Periodic Table Table!

by: bmorey

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:10:09 +0000

I made thermite when I was about 15; just a small quantity as I could only 'borrow' pocketable amounts of iron and aluminium powder from the science lab.

I found a better form in a local scrap yard: a box of the thermite heating patches used in portable soldering irons along with the igniters (like a large match coated in sparkler-like material). The circular patches were about 1" x 1/2" and burned for a minute or so. I had great fun with those in the backyard.

by: Shadowex3

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:58:58 +0000

I think it's also worth mentioning that just looking at thermite reaction without proper welding protection can be very hazardous to your health.

by: Stuart

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:51:26 +0000

My brother is a amateur (Although it wasn't *me* that said that if he asks) knife maker, and recently he has been experimenting with thermite casting. People forget that thermite doesn't have to use iron, there are many different metals that you can use (and therefore cast with) in the process. The end product is a metal that you cannot easily buy off the shelf (so it isn't entirely about the novelty of the reaction).

by: geobas1

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:02:38 +0000

Here is the company site on the above, and the welding manual:

http://www.erico.com/products/CadweldPlus.asp

http://www.erico.com/public/library/fep/LT30323.pdf

all available to the public, no license or even identification required.

Here it's actually easier to buy this than it is to buy fireworks.

by: geobas1

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:52:31 +0000

Here, stateside at least, you can buy a pack of thermite (sort of) over the counter. There are exothermic welding kits for ground wires (cadweld) that are copper oxide and aluminum. It's all prepackaged and available to the public at your local electrical supply distributor. Not sure of the differences in temps and energies between the iron oxide reaction and the copper oxide reaction. There is even a new version that is "safer"; it comes in sealed containers and is set off electrically with an electronic igniter.