Difference between revisions of "Thermite"
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Sievert 81 (talk | contribs) (Created page with "'''Thermite''' is a mixture of a metal powder and an oxide. The most common mixture is aluminum powder and iron oxide (rust). Thermites have diverse compositions. Fuels includ...") |
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| + | [[File:ThermiteFe2O3.JPG|thumbnail|right|Thermite reacting made with iron oxide and aluminum powder]] | ||
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'''Thermite''' is a mixture of a metal powder and an oxide. The most common mixture is aluminum powder and iron oxide (rust). Thermites have diverse compositions. Fuels include aluminium, magnesium, titanium, zinc, silicon, and boron. Aluminium is common because of its high boiling point and low cost. When ignited, the mixture heats to an extremely high temperature and the metals violently react. In iron oxide and aluminum thermite, aluminium forms stronger and more stable bonds with oxygen than iron. This results in a Fe2O3 + 2 Al → 2 Fe + Al2O3 reaction (pure iron and aluminum oxide). If copper oxide is used, the mixture explodes instead. Applications include welding, incendiary devices, and joining railway tracks. | '''Thermite''' is a mixture of a metal powder and an oxide. The most common mixture is aluminum powder and iron oxide (rust). Thermites have diverse compositions. Fuels include aluminium, magnesium, titanium, zinc, silicon, and boron. Aluminium is common because of its high boiling point and low cost. When ignited, the mixture heats to an extremely high temperature and the metals violently react. In iron oxide and aluminum thermite, aluminium forms stronger and more stable bonds with oxygen than iron. This results in a Fe2O3 + 2 Al → 2 Fe + Al2O3 reaction (pure iron and aluminum oxide). If copper oxide is used, the mixture explodes instead. Applications include welding, incendiary devices, and joining railway tracks. | ||
Revision as of 20:24, November 14, 2020
Thermite is a mixture of a metal powder and an oxide. The most common mixture is aluminum powder and iron oxide (rust). Thermites have diverse compositions. Fuels include aluminium, magnesium, titanium, zinc, silicon, and boron. Aluminium is common because of its high boiling point and low cost. When ignited, the mixture heats to an extremely high temperature and the metals violently react. In iron oxide and aluminum thermite, aluminium forms stronger and more stable bonds with oxygen than iron. This results in a Fe2O3 + 2 Al → 2 Fe + Al2O3 reaction (pure iron and aluminum oxide). If copper oxide is used, the mixture explodes instead. Applications include welding, incendiary devices, and joining railway tracks.