What Thermite is and How to Make it

I show how to make thermite using aluminum powder and iron oxide. Thermite is a pyrotechnic composition usually consisting of metal powder and a metal oxide. It creates extremely high temperatures in a very small area for a short period. With aluminum/iron oxide thermite the temperatures are as high as 4500 degrees F. Thermite is used for welding, metal cutting/boring, field-expedient metal repairs, science demonstrations, high-temperature ignition, disabling military equipment, and other applications.

Materials used:
Aluminum Powder: https://amzn.to/3Uv4sJz
Red Iron Oxide Powder: https://amzn.to/3UAtSWr
Magnesium Ribbon: https://amzn.to/3W9MPAm
Precision Scale: https://amzn.to/3Uy8GA5
Flower Pot: https://amzn.to/3Wh8vL4

If you enjoy the channel, please support Von Malegowski:
https://www.paypal.me/VonMalegowski

The basic thermite recipe for iron oxide and aluminum is 3 parts iron oxide to 1 part aluminum powder. You can modify the ratios to find what works best for you, this may take some experimentation. To make a 4 ounce batch of thermite, weigh out 3 ounces of iron oxide. Then weigh out 1 ounce of aluminum powder. Dump them into a sealable container, and put the top on. Shake them until the color is consistent throughout. Having the correct balance of fuel and oxidizer is key to having a stable burn in a thermite reaction. The finer the ingredients and the better they are mixed the easier it will be to ignite, and the faster the reaction will be.

Connect With Me:
Twitter:   / vonmalegowski  
Instagram:   / vonmalegowski  
Facebook:   / vonmalegowski2  

Disclaimer: Take all of the proper safety precautions before attempting to make thermite. Burning thermite can spatter molten iron a long way from the burning pile. Do not stand close to the mix when it is igniting or burning. And make sure there is nothing nearby that can catch fire. You cannot extinguish a thermite fire with water or a fire extinguisher because it has its own oxygen and you need to cool it to the point where it stops burning otherwise it will keep burning. You could hit it or move it to remove the thermite that hasn't started burning yet from the burning thermite but this would only reduce the burn not put it out. Lowering the surrounding temperature with the addition of an appropriate quantity of Liquid nitrogen can easily quench a reaction. http://www.skylighter.com/fireworks/h...

How to Make Iron Oxide Powder (   • How to Make Iron Oxide (Rust) Powder  )

Ratios:
#1 [3:1] 3 Parts iron oxide, 1 part aluminum powder. (3 grams iron oxide + 1 gram aluminum powder = 4 grams or thermite)
#2 [3:2] 3 Parts iron oxide, 2 part aluminum powder, and 2 parts plaster or Paris. (Mix the 3:2 with 2 parts plaster of Paris.)
#3 [8:3] 8 Parts iron oxide, 3 parts aluminum powder.

Von Malegowski Equipment List: https://goo.gl/x5VtWv
Von Malegowski Equipment List (Updated 2020): https://bit.ly/2XCXAMH

Music: YouTube Audio Library
Tracks: Ditch_Diggin, Mob_Battle, Big_Hands
Artists: Jingle Punks; Silent Partner;

Intro Music: YouTube Audio Library
Tracks: Foundation
Artists: Vibe Tracks

Photos and Videos Creative Commons Attribution: (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
thermite welding, by: Miroslav Volek
The thermite reaction in action, by: Duncan Hull
Thermite Residency: Knowle West Media Centre 2010, by: Gavin McClafferty
INCLINE SHAFT THERMIT WELDING OF RAILS FOR MINES Version 2, by: Mike Byron
Collected Tests and Studies, by Gavin McClafferty


©Von Malegowski. All Rights Reserved.