- #1
some bloke
- 279
- 98
Hello all,
I am curious as to whether it is possible to create aluminium from a thermite reaction.
Thermite, as standard, uses aluminium and iron oxide, which react together when burnt to create a blob of molten iron. I would like to achieve a similar result, but with a blob of molten aluminium as the end product.
I assume that the reaction is the result of the much more reactive aluminium pulling the oxygen from the iron oxide, and so creating aluminium oxide and iron. If a similar mix of aluminium oxide (alumina) and a more reactive metal than aluminium were used, would it produce the same effect? would it require a higher ignition temperature, or lower? would it be volatile, even?
Note - my final aim, if this is plausible, is to produce less than a teaspoon's worth of the mix, suspended in a flux to a thixotropic gel-like consistency, then use it to try and develop a localised welding technique for cosmetic welding of aluminium, IE filling small holes, in areas which cannot be accessed by conventional TIG welders.
I will understand if this thread is removed, as thermite is not a particularly safe mixture. I did check the posting rules and suspect this one will fall under "to be watched closely".
I am curious as to whether it is possible to create aluminium from a thermite reaction.
Thermite, as standard, uses aluminium and iron oxide, which react together when burnt to create a blob of molten iron. I would like to achieve a similar result, but with a blob of molten aluminium as the end product.
I assume that the reaction is the result of the much more reactive aluminium pulling the oxygen from the iron oxide, and so creating aluminium oxide and iron. If a similar mix of aluminium oxide (alumina) and a more reactive metal than aluminium were used, would it produce the same effect? would it require a higher ignition temperature, or lower? would it be volatile, even?
Note - my final aim, if this is plausible, is to produce less than a teaspoon's worth of the mix, suspended in a flux to a thixotropic gel-like consistency, then use it to try and develop a localised welding technique for cosmetic welding of aluminium, IE filling small holes, in areas which cannot be accessed by conventional TIG welders.
I will understand if this thread is removed, as thermite is not a particularly safe mixture. I did check the posting rules and suspect this one will fall under "to be watched closely".