Thermite

       Thermite is a mixture of powdered metals which produces an amazing reaction when combusted. Its reaction is basically the burning of metal meaning an immense amount of heat must be involved. The thermite process was discovered in 1893 by Hans Goldschmidt.  The reactants in a thermite reaction are aluminum powder and a metal oxide such as manganese oxide, chromium oxide or copper (II) oxide, however, typically it is iron oxide that is used. Thermite reactions require a high temperature to ignite as iron’s melting point is over 1500^o C. You can achieve these temperatures with the use of a propane torch, or a lighter which is sufficient for small thermite reactions which can be done by curious individuals. After the metals have heated to a high enough temperature that they melt, the thermite reaction occurs rapidly. Performing a thermite reaction is very dangerous, not only because of the reaction, but also the reactant, aluminum powder, which is toxic and can harm humans. There is a risk of burns, a risk or material flying out and a risk of eye injury if looking at the bright light produced, for too long. It is best to ignite thermite from a good distance away. Personally, I would not attempt to create a thermite reaction without obtaining extensive knowledge of the process.

     Thermite reactions produce molten metal at temperatures of about 3000^o C. This temperature is achieved as once thermite starts burning it has the ability to increase metals’ temperatures rapidly. A bright light is produced similarly to the brightness of the light produced when magnesium combusts and similarly to the brightness of the sun. In other words, when this reaction occurs, do not stare at it for a lengthy time peiod.

    The chemical reaction of thermite using Iron (III) Oxide and Aluminum is shown below

Fe₂O₃ + 2Al --> 2Fe + Al₂O₃ + heat and light

skip to 1:20 for actual reaction

    Modifications have been performed to basic thermite reactions in order to modify the reaction and its products. An example is using ultra-fine aluminum powder in the reaction which increases the speed in which the reaction occurs. Another example is the creation of thermates which is composed of thermite powder and sulfate, it increases the original ability of thermite to cut through steel. This leads me to a theory about how the twin towers in New York City were destroyed in September of 2001. I assume that many of you reading this, will remember this tragic event. There is a theory with evidence supporting it which states that thermite reactions are what destroyed the twin towers. Evidence of hot corrosion of steel was found along with sulfur which supports the claim of thermates being used. However, from my knowledge I believe this may have played a role in bringing down The Twin Towers, but the impact of the planes into The Twin Towers could have easily took them down single-handedly. 

Positively, Thermite does have some good uses such as being used to weld steel train tracks together. Originally nuts and bolts were used to hold train tracks together, but then in the 1920’s they started to use thermite to weld steel tracks together. If you’ve used the train before, there’s a good chance you rode on tracks that were welded using thermite.  It can also be used to purify metal ores such as uranium ore which can be found throughout Earth’s crust.

Thermite has served some good purpose and possibly some negative purpose in our world and one thing for certain is the thermite reaction produces incredibly high temperatures, achievable through few processes. Personally, I may attempt to create a small thermite reaction in the future but for now I will stay with producing non-combusting/non-flammable reactions.

Sources Used

The Thermite Reaction

http://www.chymist.com/Thermite%20reaction.pdf

Thermite Reaction Demonstration

http://chemistry.about.com/b/2013/03/28/thermite-reaction-demonstration.htm

Theories that Aluminothermic Materials Were Used to Destroy the Twin Towers

http://911research.wtc7.net/wtc/analysis/theories/thermite.html