From: wwd@netheaven.com
Date: Thu Feb 14 2002 - 08:50:57 PST
Our Chemistry instructor set off a thermite reaction right in the
classroom. Excitement 'big-time' with enough heat to melt steel shavings
that had been mixed into the fuel. Railroads used these setups with the
liquid steel flowing down thru the burning fuel-cone and into a cracked
train rail fusing said rail. As I recall he placed fire brick on his
desktop to catch the liquid steel, but I don't remember if the windows
were open.
To start the reaction he used a large sliver of magnesium metal which he
lit with a propane torch and then used the intense mag fire to set off the
thermite powder on the top of cone. The mag metal chunk was safely kept in
a Mason jar filled with mineral oil. Easy to shave off a sliver with a
pocket knife. Dribbled water on this flame could not put it out.
>Here's a hint:
>WATER DOES NOT...REPEAT DOES NOT PUT OUT! Magnesium fires.
>It would be like pouring "Leaded Gas" on a fire.
We keep 'Unleaded' around for just such situations!
Bill
-- ----------------------------------------------------------- wwd@netheaven.com -----------------------------------------------------------
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