Thermite Write up

[7eleven mafia]

Written by myself 7eleven Mafia

DISCLAIMER

This information is for educational use only. What you do with it is neither my concern nor my responsibility for failure to follow the instructions properly which may or may not result in burns, or any other injury sustained by following this Thermite write up

**WARNING WHEN THERMITE IS LIT IT REACHES TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED 2000 DEGREES CELSIUS**

**WARNING REACTION EMITS VERY BRIGHT LIGHT AND WILL BLIND YOU IF YOU LOOK AT THE REACTIONS FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE SECONDS**

**WARNING THERMITE REACTION IS EXOTHERMIC AND WILL PRODUCE ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT THROUGH STEEL**

**WARNING LIQUID METALS WILL BE PRESENT AFTER THE REACTION IS DONE DO NOT TOUCH THESE METALS UNTIL AT LEAST ONE HOUR AFTER THE REACTION BECAUSE THEY CAN BURN YOU IF NOT HANDLED PROPERLY**


BACKGROUND INFORMATION

-Thermite exists in a 1:3 ratio-

MATERIALS NEEDED

- Aluminum powder 400 mesh (Al)
- Iron Oxide III (Fe2O3)
- Magnesium strip (Mg) -- 2 foot strip--
- scale
- lighter ( blow torches, cigarette lighters, anything that produces a flame)
- plastic bag
- clay pot (size pending on amount of Thermite)


DIRECTIONS

1. using the scale measure out Al and Fe2O3 so that it is 1 parts Al and 3 parts Fe2O3

2. add the Al and Fe2O3 in the plastic bag

3. shake the bag and mix the Al and Fe2O3 together

4. cut a 4 inch piece off the Mg strip and set aside

5. add the Thermite mixture to the clay pot

6. take the Mg strip and push into the Thermite mixture so it stays standing up

7. take the clay pot with the mixture and go outdoors

8. take the lighter and light the Mg strip

9. get at least 15 feet away from the pot with the mixture

10. watch it burn for a few seconds then turn away from it


NOTES

- Iron oxide can be subsituted with many other metals such as # Iron(III) Oxide - Fe2O3
# Iron(II) Oxide - Fe3O4
# Copper(II) Oxide - CuO
# Copper(I) Oxide - Cu2O
# Tin(IV) Oxide - SnO2
# Titanium(IV) Oxide - TiO2
# Manganese(IV) Oxide - MnO2
# Manganese(III) Oxide - Mn2O3
# Chromium(III) Oxide - Cr2O3
# Cobalt(II) Oxide - CoO
# Silicon Dioxide - SiO2
# Nickel(II) Oxide - NiO
# Vanadium(V) Oxide - V2O5
# Silver(I) Oxide - Ag2O
------Source http://amazingrust.com/Experiments/how_to/Thermite.html------

- The magnesium strip can be substituted with Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) + Glycerin
------Source http://amazingrust.com/Experiments/how_to/Thermite.html------

<>THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE A REFERENCE ONLY WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO USE THEM IS OF YOU OWN ACCORD I DO NOT HAVE ANY PERSONAL USE WITH ANY OF THE SUBSTITUTES NOR DO I KNOW OF THEM WORKING USING THEM IS OF YOUR OWN ACCORD<>

[.VX]

I always thought that it was equal amounts of iron oxide and aluminium?

[Th0r]

I always thought that it was equal amounts of iron oxide and aluminium?

It is a 1:3 ratio.

[.VX]

Cool, thanks.

(In an attempt to actually add to this thread;) All the things needed for this can be bought online. You could always make the rust and aluminium powder yourself, but buying online will garuantee quality.

[thief]

.......

[Th0r]

Yes and at a much finer mesh i.e 3000 and cheap to.

I think you mean above 300.

[thief]

.....

[Th0r]

Sorry - I think we both misunderstood each other. I originally misunderstood what you were saying. What I meant was you can only use 300 Mesh and up.

[crazy white guy]

Af your mesh size is too small you'll end up having an LE rather than a thermite mixture. The smallest mesh I've seen used practically is in a military trial where the Al was roughly 2000 mesh and made up only 15%ish of the overall weight. The mixture had pretty good results from the descriptions I read but nothing compared to the current military mixes.

In this case, faster burn does not mean higher efficiency.

[thief]

.......

[RoundElephant]

No Th0r... I mean 3000.

Here is the link and they sell super fine mesh iron oxide. Cheap as hell prices.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-lb-Aluminum-Powder-5-3000-Mesh-Super-Fine_W0QQitemZ280311210401QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_La b_Supplies?hash=item280311210401&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14

That ebay account sells unmixed termite, you think it's worth a try?

[Th0r]

That ebay account sells unmixed termite, you think it's worth a try?

If it's unmixed you'll need a Ball Mill or an other device in order to mix the Iron Oxide with the Alluminium, I would asume.

[thief]

....

[GrimReefer]

Would a suitably potent thermite mixture be practical to use as a non-explosive breaching charge of sorts? As in fixed to the bolting portion of a knobless, presumably steel, door set in brick? Or would fixing it and keeping the reacting thermite to the door be too much of a bitch?

[Mr.A]

I'm not sure of a way to make thermite more pliable and plastic like, similar to what some special forces use for getting through some entrances. If there was a way, I dont see why it wouldn't work. However other problems arise with this method to me. The light/heat would be immense, forget doing it indoors in a smaller suburban area. Also, it would really loud.

[thief]

.....

[Mr.A]

I was told that it could be mixed with play doh or clay but then I was told here on this fourm that it wouldnt work because of the water found in the play doh and what not. Im still a little bit convinced that it might work and therefore make it a flexible thermite, only because I have yet to try it with play doh. Here is an idea... why not flaten out the play doh and then place the amount you need of thermite on top... the roll the play doh over it so that the thermite is inside rather than mixed into the compound!

And yes.... confined space is not such a good idea as the smoke will immense.

Interesting idea. I'm not convinced it would work though considering what was prevously mentioned by someone. The water. I would imagine it possible if the ratio of thermite to play dough would be correct. The substance would have to be mostly thermite. It would take testing to know for sure I think.

Another thought on homes, fire would be a concern. The are next to whatever you placing it on would have to be earth and very clean. No wood obviously, and no paint.

[thief]

....

[Mr.A]

But the water found in play doh is minuscule. I think it will still work if rolled over it rather than mixed with it...like a cream filling... just thermite instead. Have the Mag ribbon run into it from the top of the roll. Easy. . :hitwithro

It's just something I would have to see in order to believe I think. Thermite can be so finicky sometimes. Even the shit expert chemist hand over. *reflects on the days of chem lab* Good times.:smokin:

[thief]

....

[Mr.A]

In what sense???

It is a powder and when lit I found it reacts so violently it behaves sporadically. It is not usually easy to come across the ribbon which is commonly used to ignite the reaction. Not in large amounts for regular use. I usually just think its easier to decide on some other meathod for my means, and each time I have decided to not use the stuff for whatever I was planning on using it for I never regretted it. Just finicky.

Don't get me wrong your creativity in coming up with the "Playdough Thermite Burrito" was a good idea, I just would have to see it in action to believe it possible.:welcome:

[thief]

.....

[crazy white guy]

Alright. I've made thermite and I can dispel some myths about it right here.

Playdough cannot work. You have to remember that this is an energetic material, it generates a lot of heat and pressure. The metal that is melted either pours under the force of gravity, or "rolls" along a surface. Since playdoh is soft, one of these things will happen: The pressure generated will break the playdough container and drop/spill your thermite thus not letting it accomplish its target goal; It would almost instantly dry and harden then become brittle to the point of falling apart under the weight of the thermite/slag or pressure of the reaction.

There's many ways to make thermite plyable but none are very effective. You can browse through patents in the 70's to see the US military's contribution to thermite. They use some exotic materials that many users of this site will have never heard of but they are much better than that mentioned in this forum.

The ribbon is easy to get. On eBay a hundred reaction's worth costs about 5$. One hundred is a bit of an overstatement. You will end up using a lot more than is actually needed. You can use glycerin and Potassium Permanganate to ignite but its a lot more expensive.

If you want to use thermite effectively you should make a "thermal lance" or similar device. Im trying to find a way to make one but Im haivng a hard time. Basically to do this I will need a way to bind thermite into a shell around a copper rod with an oxidizor. Ideas? I have yet to try micro cellulose.

[thief]

.....

[iceniner]

For a thermite lance I would try some sort of paste of thermite and styrene resin + hardening catalyst, extruded somehow into a cardboard tube or poured/spread into a long wood mold with a square cross-section and a copper rod going through it axially.

You would want to be very careful that the thing didn't just fulminate. There may very well be some agent to retard the burn speed in commercial burning bar formulas, most likely some sort of ceramic powder. Also probably some alteration of the aluminum/iron mix would tend to lessen the burn rate.

Some commercial lances run oxy mix through a copper tube to make the flame even hotter.

[Antagonist]

whats the stuff in 'breaking bad' when he empties out a bunch of etch and sketches? They use it to make thermite, is it the aluminum powder? where can mg strips be found?

[Th0r]

Yea, it's fine Al Powder.

Mg Strips can be purchased on the 'Net, stolen from schools or welding supliers.

[iceniner]

One thing that might help to avoid burning anything inside the safe would be thermite-lined gloves.

You would sew a pocket across the knuckles, and fill it with thermite, and ignite the thermite. Then, once the thermite was going real nice, you would just punch through the side of the safe and pull out all the money inside. A word to the wise: You would want to use heavy gloves.

If you had two of them I bet you could just tear open the safe like a tin of kippers!

Discuss.

[thief]

......

[iceniner]

What about a flame-retardant suit covered with pockets of thermite?

Once the thermite was going real good, you could hug the safe and it would just disintegrate in your arms. Not to mention that if any law enforcement people (DAMN PIGS!) were to come, their bullets would just melt on contact with the suit.

Thoughts?

[Th0r]

Are you being serious?

[iceniner]

I'm about as serious as thallium underwear!

Edit: Do you find something FUNNY about my idea of a thermite suit?

[blastedforums]

Ice I am glad that you are joking...

Lit Thermite CANNOT be handled. There is basically nothing that the home guy can get that will withstand exposure to it.

As far as lances, what about thin wall PVC or that new plastic water line that I forget the name to? Easy to shape, cheap and inconspicuous to purchase and will not interfere with the reaction. You can set a burn band on a horizontal surface quickly and easily. Drop and light.

[-=HeX=-]

As for thermic Lances... Bind the thermit with CaSO4 and ass excess Al. The CaSO4 will oxidize the Al excess. Mixing in some Sr(NO3)2 is good, as is using an Al pipe core wrapped in Teflon tape :). To sustain the burn cast some Mg/PTFE lenghts into the comp. Use a KMnO4/Fe comp ignited by Ematch to light the Thermit.

I personally like to mix fine Mg powder and PTFE and press with a 10ton press into solid rods, then insert as the 'core' of a charge of incendiary.

For incendiary frags for munitions, mixing a CuO/Mg and enclosing in thin Al pipe as frags makes impact incendiary frags.

As a rocket fuel, MnO2/Al can be used in the same way as BP, and leaves a dezzling white streak through the air as the Mn in exhaust afterburns EXTREMELY bright. I used these rockets and Zn/S ones in a battery and the intense light made the ZnS particles luminesce, leaving green glowing aftertrails :)

Zn/S charges can ignite thermit mixes with ease on occasion. I once made a 'glowing green cloud' by detonating an Optical Isotropic Radiator mere second after a Zn/S charge went off. A glowing green cloud resulted after a flash that was similar to a nuculear detonation.

CuO/Al mixes are detonable. Pb3O4/Mg is also detonable I believe, as when put in a pipe with a #8 cap and detonated it sure is fucking loud.

To bind thermit try either NC, Dextrin or CaSO4. I have used molten Sulphur once, but forget the bloody details.

[Th0r]

A general purpose question on Thermite.

We've found out that Sparklers and whatnot are capable of igniting thermite, but would it be possible to use a firelighter to ignite the Thermite?

[darkangel]

the magnesium ones, if so the yes just shave it with a file

[Th0r]

the magnesium ones, if so the yes just shave it with a file

I'm aware of them Darkangel, but I'm referring to the Kerosene firelighters.

[-=HeX=-]

Th0r: The kerosene ones... VERY hit and miss. It 'might light' but more than likely wont - they just dont develop enough temp.

[Th0r]

Cheers for that tidbit. I've got a great source for Magnesium firelighters so it doesn't matter now. Camping suppliers rock!

[-=HeX=-]

I have recently heard something about electrolytically deposited metal that is 'foamed'. Now, this got me thinkin... One makes some foamed, porous metal, then deposits by solvent evaporation some lovely oxidizing agent in there... Wont be a thermite but damn hot at any rate! For example, foamed Mg with KClO3 deposited inside the foam lattice, ignited with a KMnO4/Fe mix. Could have potential for igniting hard-to-light things like certain thermites made with Fe2O3 and Al then bound with NC and turned into granules.