DnA 4-6: Explosives Workshop IV: Thermite
Home Explosives Workshop
Chapter IV: Thermite
Written 09/03/93
By -=Arclight=-
We at DnA cannot be help responsible for anything that happens as a result of using this information in any way. This file is provided FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Thank you.
The last three chapters have dealt mostly with explosives and related items. While it may seem that Incendiaries are kind of basic and do not require too much discussion, they deserve mention here for a number of reasons. Explosives are an extension od incendiares; they are compounds that consume themselves so fast and release their energy so quickly that their effect is said to be explosive. Incendiary compounds can conatin just as much energy as explosive compounds, they just release it slower. Incendiaries can be used to do many things explosives cannot, such as welding and burning holes. Pound for pound, Incendiaries are usually more effective than explosives. This unique category of mixtures and compounds, then, has many uses.
Preparation of Thermite
Materials:
- (1) Cup or large spoon for measuring
- (1) 1 Lb Aluminum Powder (Not coarser than a rough powder)
- (1) 1 Lb Iron Oxide Flakes (Fe3O4, Black Iron Oxide)
- (1) Jar or can with tight lid
- (1) Cardboard can w/metal ends (i.e. Comet, Ajax)
Procedure:
- Place Three (3) parts by volume of Iron Oxide and Two (2) parts Aluminum Powder into the jar.
- Screw the lid on the jar aqnd roll/shake it until the powders are mixed completely. The mixture is now ready for use, and may be stored indefinitely in the sealed container.
Thermite can be used to weld or burn holes in anything metallic. It burns with an intense, white-hot flame and cannot be extinguished until totally consumed. It is somewhat difficult to ignite, as a regular match is not nearly hot enough. It is recommended that the Thermite Ignitor mixture below be used. Failing that, a 4-6" piece of Magnesium ribbon *can* ignite it, though it usually takes several tries and may not always work.
For burning holes in metal plates and other structures, the following technique works well. Take a cardboard can with metal ends (Comet, Ajax) and cut it into two section of equal length. Tape the metal ends together, to form an hourglass-like container. Trim the bottom section to 2" and cut two 3/4" notches. Fill the top tube section to 2/3 with thermite, and fill the remainder with the ignitor mixes described below. Prime with a fuse or other device. When ignited, this mixture burns extremely fast, and produces a white hot slag and showers of burning sparks. The device just described will penetrate 3/8" of structural steel.
Thermite Package Closeup of material layers
…ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕª …ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕª
∫ ≥‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹≥ Thermite ∫ ∫ -Fuse
* ≥≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≥ / Sugar/Chlorate ∫
≥≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≥ / \ ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
∆ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕµ Target Subignitor Mix->±±±±±±±±±±
≥ ⁄ƒƒø ≥ / ≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤
¿ƒƒƒŸ ¿ƒƒƒŸ / ≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤
€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Thermite ------>≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤
≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤For welding metal parts together, the above device, without the bottom tube section, is placed directly against the target surfaces and ignited. The molten slag produced can melt and weld just about any metal surface.
Thermite, while relatively safe to store and handle, burns with incredible intensity and produces showers of burning metal flakes, with lots of hot gas as a by-product. The white-hot flame can also be very painful to look at, and may damage the eyes. Extreme caution is advised in experimenting with it.
SubIgnitor for Thermite
This incendiary is used for directly igniting Thermite. It burns with intense heat and violence. It can be ignited with the Sugar/Chlorate mixture described below.
Materials:
- (1) Jar or other container with tight fitting lid
- (1) Spoon or scoop
- (1) Aluminum or Magnesium powder (No coarser than table sugar)
- (1) Any one of the following Oxidizers:
- Potassium Nitrate
- Potassium Permanganate
- Sodium Dichromate
- Potassium Dichromate
Procedure:
- With a clean spoon or other scoop, place equal quantities (1:1 ratio) of metal and oxidizer in the jar.
- Place the lid on the container and roll until the powders are completely mixed. The mixture may now be stored indefinitely.
Sugar/ Chlorate Ignitor
This mixture is used to ignite the SubIgnitor for Thermite seen above. It can be ignited with a simple fuse. It also ignites spontaneously on contact with Sulfuric Acid.
Materials:
- (1) Spoon (Non-Metallic)
- (1) Jar or Container with tight-fitting lid
- (1) Potassium Chlorate
- (1) Granulated Sugar (Not Powdered sugar!)
Procedure:
- Using the non-metallic spoon, place an equal quantity of Sugar and Potassium Chlorate in the container.
- Tighten the lidon the jar and slowly roll it until the poders are mixed.
***Warning! Be sure to remove any mixture clinging to mouth of jar before tightening lid. Handle with care, as this mixture is sensitive to shock and friction.***
The mixture is now ready, and can be stored indefinitely. Care should be taken in its handling, as this mixture can be ignited easily.
When used as suggested, thermite is a very powerful item. As with any other project, one should use the best materials available, and make sure all tools and items used are clean. When working with incendiares it is also a good idea to have a working CO2 or Dry Chemical fire extinguisher on hand. While Thermite and the ignitors cannot be put out, a fire extinguisher can at least stop a secondary fire. The Sugar Chlorate mixture is the only one that is sensitive to shock and rough handling, and should be treated accordingly. Have fun, use this information well and stay out of trouble.
