Thermite is a material used to weld metal joints. Thermite burns up to 2200°C and melts most metals. You have to be very careful when making thermite. Clean the entire manufacturing site of any flammable or explosive material, and make sure you check what's under the thermite. Otherwise, bad!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Safety Precautions
Step 1. Choose the thermite manufacturing location carefully
Make sure there's nothing that can catch fire within a 4 meter radius. Make sure metals with low melting points, such as lead, tin, cadmium, or zinc, are not near that 4 meter radius.
Step 2. Wear a helmet or welding mask for full protection, but if not available, at least sunglasses
Besides being very hot, thermite emits UV radiation that can damage your eyes if not handled properly.
Step 3. Wear sturdy gloves and protect your body
To be safe, wear full clothing covering the whole body, including thick gloves.
Method 2 of 2: Creating Thermite
Step 1. Prepare iron oxide powder, aluminum powder, and a thin strip of magnesium
Powdered iron oxide and powdered aluminum react to form thermite, while magnesium acts as a trigger for combustion.
- You can find aluminum powder at a building materials store or order it online.
- If you don't want to use a magnesium strip to ignite the fire, you can also use a combination of potassium permanganate and glycerin, which you can get from a building materials store or online.
Step 2. Mix the iron oxide powder and aluminum powder in a ratio of 8:3 by weight
Remember, because aluminum is so light, the volume will look like a 50-50 mix.
For example, if you have 10 grams of iron oxide powder and 10 grams of aluminum powder, mix 8 grams of iron oxide powder and 3 grams of aluminum powder. Stir until the two are really well mixed
Step 3. Pour the mixture into a sturdy container, such as a cast iron container or clay flower pot
Remember, once you burn the thermite, the melt will penetrate the iron container.
Step 4. Insert the magnesium strip
Step 5. Burn the magnesium strip, which will burn for a few seconds
If you are using potassium permanganate and glycerin, add 3 parts glycerin first, then add one part potassium permanganate. If it doesn't burn, magnesium strips are best, so just use that.
Tips
- Do not place thermite on ice or anything lower than room temperature as it may explode.
- It's a good idea to place the mold under the thermite to accommodate the molten iron.
- Burning magnesium strips can be difficult, so try using a propane torch.
- Avoid burning thermite on public grounds or on streets, sidewalks, or other crowded places. Thermite can cause potholes in sidewalks or streets, and you'll be causing trouble for yourself and others.
Warning
- Do not attempt to extinguish the thermite reaction with water. When you've chosen your burn location carefully, it's safest to let it burn completely. Otherwise, use as much dry sand as possible. The thermite reaction, once triggered, is irreversible.
- Use a very strong container, and do not handle it while it is on fire.
- This activity is really dangerous. Thermite burns at very high temperatures and can burn you.
- Burning thermite on a block of ice can result in a DANGEROUS explosion.
- Do not pour additional thermite on burning thermite or on hot reaction products.
- Make sure the magnesium strip is long enough to give you enough time to get away from the thermite.
- Do not look directly at the fire, wear goggles, helmet, or a welding mask.
- Have a fire extinguisher (to extinguish secondary fires; extinguishing metal fires is almost impossible) and a first aid kit, and wear good safety equipment (goggles, fire-proof apron, thick gloves).
- Do not attempt to grind thermite metals yourself. Buy it in powder form, available at building materials stores.
- If an accident occurs, go to the ER immediately.
