Lets say i am new to pyrotechnics in the departemnt of thermite. Does any one know what a given charge of thermite will melt through? Like what would a one pound mix thermite melt through?

I am having trouble igniteing my thermite. Any cheap and safe way to remotly detonate thermite.

letsee...there are a million and a half variables in a situation such as that...it really isn't that simple, it depends on things like surface area, reaction speed, how well its mixed, how its spread out etc.

oh and thermite doesn't detonate. i've heard of magnesium ribbon being used, sugar/chlorate/drip on H2SO4, glycerin and KMnO4 maybe?. [easy suggestion removed from here]

but being new to pyrotechnics, i'd advise you to seriously reconsider making a one pound mix of thermite. lets say i doubt the erm benevolent nature of your intentions. and you'll probably kill yourself.

I mean ive made my own black powder and im not out to be a kewl anarchist that blows shit up. I just want to try to make some that will work and do so in a safe matter with out causing massive damge or injury. thats why i wanted charts or something so i could get an idea what a managble amount would be.

oh yeah and i know it does not detonate. all it is is a oxidation of the aluminum powder. It is commonly used for welding railroad tracks. military uses it as a anti-equipment munition. im just curious of the nature. it is more like a super heated blob of melted iron.

Test it.

Mg and an electric match to ignite?

-F☺rd

Hey Bazooka. Long time no talk.

This guy's alright, folks, not a kewl, jsut needs a little direction.

Thermite's nature is very simple.

In it's most common form;

Al + Fe2O3 --> Al2O3 + Fe + Heat

It just swaps the oxide from the iron to the aluminium.

To ignite it, use KMnO4 and Glycerine or Ethylene Glycol or a chlorate ignition mix.

Also, if you're willing to pay through the nose, UnitedNuclear.com sells a fairly decent thermite ignition mix.

And don't worry, we know all about what it's used for, no need to explain that. As it is, these days the military usually uses thermate instead.

Just out of interest iv heard of thermite grenades being used by the millarty. How reliable are these likeley to be and how are they ignited?

Ah ignition mixes, would it be possible to be pointed in the general direction of information regarding these. I myself currently use magnesium ribbon and a blow lamp but find this method unreliable.

I can't believe no one covered mesh / particle shape.

Thermite's performance varys greatly with the chemicals mesh. Very fine chemicals like 325mesh make a very easy to ignite thermite with a slag that doesn't last. Courser meshs are harded to ignite and produce longer lasting slag.

Plus you have to take into consideration the material that its on, standoff/no standoff, etc... you would have to do tests on your particular mix to really know.

Yes there are thermite grenades for sabotage and equipment destroying purposes. thats why i called it a charge. According to a 1966 army engineers manual it talks about 16 oz 32 oz and 48 oz charges. Sorry for that mistake. Secondly. How fine should my aluminum powder and iron oxide be?