If I had some aluminum powder and somehow some sand managed to get into it, what would be the most effective way to remove the sand? assuming its going to be used for therm will it even effect the mixture?

Sorry I'm not sure that this is the right place, but it seemed like the best bet.

Moving to Backyard Ballistics.............

How much sand we talking here? Like estimated % by weight?

Moving to Backyard Ballistics.............

Thank you if that is the right place, I wasn't sure so thank you hope I wasn't too much trouble

I would say probably around 15-20% of it is sand but its a dyed blue sand and the pieces are substantially bigger then the flakes of dust are.

Water...........

what kind of partical size we talking for the Al is it powder or is it flake or some home brewed crap ... any pictures ? and are we talking mechanical seperation or chemical seperation ? if it is commercially made i assume it is coated in a bit of oil to prevent oxidation as well more info would be nice

Its the homebrew crap with an unknown particle size using the angle grinder and sander method (Which is more effective then people think), any type of easy separation that can be done at home quick and easy,

what was stupidnoob saying about water?

I'd use a sieve, like window screen, though really it isn't going to be too effective based on your particle sizes.

Find some places that do metalworking and mill, sand, drill, etc aluminum and other metals, its a much easier way. Chances are that you can even tell them you want to try to make thermite. Such places usually have a whole lot of powder, saw chips, and ribbons from various metals...

Just have a fan blow lightly over a pile of your stuff, the Al will move on slowly while the sand stays behind.

If the sand grains are large enough you could use water or alcohol to separate most of it.

If you put it into a decent bit of water a swirl it around the sand should fall and settle first

Water...........

doesn't powdered aluminium have a chance of spontaneously combusting with water?

doesn't powdered aluminium have a chance of spontaneously combusting with water?

No.

Fine mesh Al in my experience floats on salty water.

No.


So would I be better using salt water or alcohol for this separation?

Floats better on water, dries faster with alcohol.

Pan that shit like a prospector.

Exactly.

I'm no expert. However, it strikes me as a bad idea to mix fans and powdered aluminum? I mean, done right it obviously wouldn't cause a problem, but if you turned the fan on a wee bit too high you might get a nice ol' cloud of aluminum dust? If I recall, those don't mix well with sparks, static, etc?

I imagine it would be like a miniature flour mill blowing up. Perhaps more powerful (per volume), due to that fact it's our old friend aluminum?

Or perhaps you were joking? I'm a little sloooowww tonight...

The aluminum is from a grinder... its much too course to present a problem.

I'm no expert. However, it strikes me as a bad idea to mix fans and powdered aluminum? I mean, done right it obviously wouldn't cause a problem, but if you turned the fan on a wee bit too high you might get a nice ol' cloud of aluminum dust?

Well, there's that "lightly" clause in there :p

Fan method dates back to biblical times to clear out grains.

I suppose you could just pile it up some on a sheet of paper, and lightl shake/tap to get the Al off.