Thermite

A thermite mixture using Iron (III) oxide

Thermite is a high-temperature incendiary composition that can successfully reach
temperatures of 2500 degrees Celsius. A thermite reaction--sometimes called a
"Goldschmidt reaction"--refers to the very exothermic process occurring between a
metal oxide such as Iron (III) oxide, Manganese (IV) oxide, or Copper (II) oxide, and
a more reactive pure metal, such as Magnesium or Aluminium. The more reactive
pure metal reduces the metal Oxide, Oxidizing itself and releasing a substantial
amount of energy during the reaction. Usually the mixture is made by simply
combining the ingredients, and then igniting it, which takes very high temperatures.
The reaction releases so much energy, molten metal is produced as one of the
products. This can often times become airborne when the reaction is sufficiently
energetic, and poses major health hazards.

Contents
[hide]

1 Thermite
Compositions

2 Reaction Formulas

3 Thermate

4 Tutorial

5 Ignition

6 Video

7 References

[edit] Thermite Compositions

Red Iron oxide
 Aluminium 1

Iron (III) oxide 2.96

Black Iron oxide

Aluminium 1

Iron (II, III) Oxide (Black) 3.22

Black Copper oxide

Aluminium 1

Copper (II) oxide 4.42

Red Copper oxide

Aluminium 1

Copper (I) oxide 7.96

Black Manganese oxide

Aluminium 1

Manganese (IV) oxide 2.42

Black Cobalt oxide

Aluminium 1
 Cobalt (II) oxide 4.17

Silicon dioxide & Sulphur

Aluminium 10

Silicon dioxide (Sand) 9

Sulphur 12

[edit] Reaction Formulas

Iron (III) oxide (Red):
Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s) → Al2O3(s) + 2Fe(l);    ΔH = -851.5 kJ/mol
According to the reaction's stoichiometry, the ratio of Iron (III) oxide to Aluminum
powder--by weight--is about 3:1, or more exactly, 2.96:1.
Iron (II,III) oxide (Black):
3Fe3O4(s) + 8Al(s) → 4Al2O3(s) + 9Fe(l);    ΔH = -3347.6 kJ/mol
Though the ΔH for this reaction as balanced is higher than that for Fe2O3
thermite, a given mass of Fe2O3 thermite will generate more energy than
the same mass of Fe3O4 thermite. According to the reaction's
stoichiometry, the ratio of Iron (II,III) oxide to Aluminum powder by weight is
about 3.2:1, or more exactly, 3.22:1.
Copper (II) oxide (Black):
3CuO(s) + 2Al(s) → Al2O3(s) + 3Cu(l);    ΔH = -1203.8 kJ/mol
While this thermite mixture does not produce the same amount of
energy as some other compositions--like Iron (II,III) oxide--it does have
an incredibly fast burn rate. Additionally copper has a comparatively
low melting point, and this mix should be treated as extremely
dangerous. Due to the amount of molten copper produced, and the
mixtures tendency to explode--caused by the high burn rate, this
 mixture is known for sending out thousands of drops of liquid metal,
and it is recommended that you be very careful when attempting to
ignite this compound. According to the reaction's stoichiometry, the
ratio of Copper (II) Oxide to Aluminum powder by weight is about 4.4:1,
or more exactly, 4.42:1.
Copper (I) oxide (Red):
3Cu2O(s) + 2Al(s) → Al2O3(s) + 6Cu(l);    ΔH = -1169.8 kJ/mol
While this thermite mixture does not produce the same amount of
energy as some other compositions--like Iron (II,III) oxide--it does
have an incredibly fast burn rate. Additionally copper has a
comparatively low melting point, and this mix should be treated as
extremely dangerous. Due to the amount of molten copper
produced, and the mixtures tendency to explode--caused by the
high burn rate, this mixture is known for sending out thousands of
drops of liquid metal, and it is recommended that you be very
careful when attempting to ignite this compound. According to the
reaction's stoichiometry, the ratio of Copper (I) oxide to Aluminum
powder by weight is about 8:1, or more exactly, 7.96:1.
Manganese (IV) oxide (Black):
3MnO2(s) + 4Al(s) → 2Al2O3(s) + 3Mn(l);    ΔH = -1788.7 kJ/mol
According to the reaction's stoichiometry, the ratio of
Manganese (IV) oxide to Aluminum powder by weight is about
2.4:1, or more exactly, 2.42:1.
Cobalt (II) oxide (Black):
3CoO(s) + 2Al(s) → Al2O3(s) + 3Co(l);    ΔH = -962.0 kJ/mol
According to the reaction's stoichiometry, the ratio of
Colbalt (II) oxide to Aluminum powder by weight is about
4.2:1, or more exactly, 4.17:1.
Silicon dioxide (Sand) & Sulphur:
3SiO2(s) + 4Al(s) → 2Al2O3(s) + 3Si(l);    ΔH = -? kJ/mol
3S(s) + 2Al(s) → Al2S3(s);    ΔH = -? kJ/mol
or According to the reaction's stoichiometry, the
ratio of Silicon dioxide to Aluminium powder by
weight is about 1.7:1, or more exactly, 1.67:1.
This thermite will work, but is extremely difficult
to ignite. The remedy this, you can add in
additional Aluminium and Sulphur to the mixture.
These two elements will also burn very very hot,
and are easier to ignite. They burn hot enough to
start the other reaction. A mixture of Silicon
dioxide, Aluminium powder, and Sulphur in the
ratio of 9:10:12 works well and makes ignition
manageable.
[edit] Thermate
Thermate is a slightly more powerful version of
thermite which is made by combining 68.7%
regular thermite, 29.0% Barium Nitrate, 2.0%
sulfur, and 0.3% dextrin (as a bonding agent)
together. Warning: Thermate is more unstable
than thermite, when experimenting with thermate,
give yourself ample time to clear the area.
[edit] Tutorial
It is best to use materials that are as fine as
possible for all thermite--the finer the powder is,
the faster the burn rate. Screen the chemicals
together by passing the mixture several times
through a mesh screen, but do not ball mill or
grind the materials together. A very intimate
mixing is well-worth the effort, as it will yield the
best performance.
[edit] Ignition
The ignition temperature of thermite is extremely
high. Therefore, traditional ignition methods like
fuse, matches, and electrical igniters do not work.
 There are several ways to safely light a thermite
mixture, the most common being:
Magnesium Ribbon
Magnesium metal burns in the presence of air, in a very bright, exothermic
reaction. Magnesium ribbon can burn at several thousand degrees, easily
igniting thermite. This is a very good option, as the ribbon acts like a fuse,
giving you plenty of time before the thermite is lit.
Potassium perchlorate and visco
A mixture of potassium perchlorate and icing sugar will burn with a hot
enough flame to ignite all thermite mixtures and can itself be ignited by safety
fuse. This is useful if the desired ignition point is below the surface of the
thermite and because magnesium ribbon can fragment as it burns, causing
premature ignition which can be very dangerous with some of the more
energetic thermites (for example copper oxide based thermites).
Potassium permanganate Reaction
The reaction between Potassium permanganate and Glycerin is both simple
and safe, while producing sufficient heat to light thermite mixtures.
Additionally, this method gives you time to retreat to a safe distance. A pile of
Potassium permanganate, which is an extremely powerful oxidizer that should
be treated carefully, is placed atop the thermite composition, and a few drops
of glycerin are added. After a short delay, the mixture reacts violently,
producing enough heat to light the thermite mixture.

Magnalium + Iron Oxide

For the lucky people who have easy access to Magnalium, a very easy and
safe option is to simply mix Magnalium and Red Iron Oxide in the ratio 1:3.
this mix is easily ignited by visco, and even matches, while still producing
temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees centigrade. The mixture is not
explosive, and can be made in under a minute. A point to note is DO NOT use
magnalium with ANY thermite components other than red iron oxide. such
mixtures, especially with copper (II) oxide, are as explosive as flash powders,
with the added danger of throwing molten metal around.
Several other ignition methods
are possible, but not
recommended. Safety is the key
issue here, and thermite can
very realistically hurt you if you
try to employ these other types
of ignition. Flash powders will
light thermite, but they can send
debris flying, and themselves
require an ignition source. Also,
sparklers and other very hot
heat sources can ignite
thermite, but these are also
dangerous, as you have to be
close to apply this heat to the
thermite. Botched ignitions can
be disasterous, and thermite
should only be made and used
by serious hobbyists.
Underestimating its power is a
one of the worst ideas you can
have.

[edit] Video
250g of Thermite - 1.5meg - A
backyard test of 250 grams of
thermite. The heat generated
was enormous and the flame
was over 15 foot high (out of
camera range). At the end of the
very energetic burn you can see
the white hot metal remaining.
250g Iron Oxide (II) + Flash
powder (ignition) - See how high
was the flame besides we were
blind for 10 sec after the flash.

[edit] References