quattro digest, Vol 1 #2897 - Thermite

[Larry C Leung]

Note to Huw and others considering "playing" with Thermite.

Thermite is extremely difficult to ignite, due to a very high reaction
temp, though once lit, it is extremely exothermic (i.e. the Oxygen from
the less reactive Iron has a field day oxidizing the Al, so the Iron is
actually reduced, and Al just LOVES O2). I witnessed a maybe 10 gm
powedered sample get lit (it took a magnesium fire to start it, and even
then it was balky), it was white, blue-white hot (which according to
Emission spectra indicates around 8 to 10,000 degrees C) and the sample,
which lasted all of about 10 - 15 seconds fused the crucible it was set
in into the sand (couldn't tell where one ended, and the other started)
in a neat little pocket about 40 mm to 50 mm thick (and also red (3000
degrees C) hot!). This is really powerful stuff, so use with extreme
care. It's also NOT an easy reaction to stop (like water and CO2 won't
help, the oxygen is in the rust so the reaction needs no extra!), the
only thing that can be done to stop it is separation of the materials,
not too easy when the temp is approaching 10,000 degrees C. Also, the
color and intensity of the light is rather dangerous for direct viewing
for more than a second or so. It could actually cause at least night
blindness, if not complete blindness. Of course type 44 turbo DOT lights
(guilty as charged!) can also cause night blindness (MAC).

LL - NY


>From: "Fred Munro" <munrof at sympatico.ca>
>To: <SOS-cars at yahoogroups.com>, <s-car-list at yahoogroups.com>,
>	<quattro at audifans.com>
>Subject: Safety Warning - Sanding Aluminum & Rusty Steel
>Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 21:09:25 -0500
>
>    Just read an accident report which I thought I'd bring to the
>list's
>attention, since a lot of us do our own work. Even though I know what
>thermite is, this probably wouldn't have occurred to me, and I know I
>have
>left aluminium filings laying around on my belt sander.
>    First of all, thermite is a mixture of aluminium powder and iron
>oxide
>(rust). When ignited, it burns fiercely, producing aluminium oxide
>and
>molten iron. It was used to weld railroad track rails in situ, amongst
>other
>less savoury uses involving much human suffering.
>    Anyhow, on to the accident. Dad had a vertical belt sander he used
>for
>metal working. Son uses said sander to sand a piece of aluminium,
>loading
>the belt with aluminium and leaving a pile of aluminium filings on the
>belt
>table. Along comes dad, using the sander to clean up a rusty piece of
>angle
>iron. An intense 2 foot diameter white hot fireball blossoms and
>quickly
>disappears, leaving behind a cloud of dense white smoke. It also
>leaves dad
>bereft of his hair and moustache and with third degree burns to his
>hands
>and arms. Because he was wearing safety goggles (Igor take note!) he
>kept
>his eyesight.
>Be careful, it's a dangerous world out there!
>
>Fred Munro
>'94 S4
>
>
>--__--__--
>
>Message: 12
>Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2002 21:55:19 -0500
>From: Huw Powell <audi at mediaone.net>
>Reply-To: one at humanspeakers.com
>Organization: HUMAN Speakers
>To: Fred Munro <munrof at sympatico.ca>
>Cc: SOS-cars at yahoogroups.com, s-car-list at yahoogroups.com,
>	quattro at audifans.com
>Subject: Re: Safety Warning - Sanding Aluminum & Rusty Steel
>
>
>>     First of all, thermite is a mixture of aluminium powder and iron
>oxide
>> (rust). When ignited, it burns fiercely
>
>I haven't even managed to ignite the can of gasoline under my vise
>using
>a cut off wheel... I'm gonna have to try this one!
>
>--
>Huw Powell
>
>http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/
>
>http://www.humanthoughts.org/
>
>--__--__--
>
>Message: 13
>From: "Fred Munro" <munrof at sympatico.ca>
>To: <one at humanspeakers.com>
>Cc: <SOS-cars at yahoogroups.com>, <s-car-list at yahoogroups.com>,
>	<quattro at audifans.com>
>Subject: Re: Safety Warning - Sanding Aluminum & Rusty Steel
>Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 22:50:37 -0500
>
>If you are going to try this, Huw, I can tell you from personal
>experience
>that rolling around on the ground does not extinguish burning clothes,
>so
>forget that little gem of wisdom imparted by your grade school teacher
>:o)
>
>Fred Munro
>'94 S4
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Huw Powell" <audi at mediaone.net>
>To: "Fred Munro" <munrof at sympatico.ca>
>Cc: <SOS-cars at yahoogroups.com>; <s-car-list at yahoogroups.com>;
><quattro at audifans.com>
>Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 9:55 PM
>Subject: Re: Safety Warning - Sanding Aluminum & Rusty Steel
>
>
>>
>> >     First of all, thermite is a mixture of aluminium powder and
>iron
>oxide
>> > (rust). When ignited, it burns fiercely
>>
>> I haven't even managed to ignite the can of gasoline under my vise
>using
>> a cut off wheel... I'm gonna have to try this one!
>>
>> --
>> Huw Powell
>>
>> http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/
>>
>> http://www.humanthoughts.org/
>
>
>--__--__--
>
>Message: 14
>From: Audimobiles at aol.com
>Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 23:20:06 EST
>Subject: dealer repair or independant? rear strut problem....
>To: quattro at audifans.com
>
>Being new to the Chicago-land area, I have no idea who's who in
>foreign auto
>repair. My QSW has a major problem with the rear pass. side strut
>assembly.
>Real bad clunking noise, blew the speaker cover right off the tower.
>I
>suspect a strut bushing, but I'm not sure. I'd love to take it apart
>and fix
>it myself (heck, that's what I'm going to school for) but I just don't
>have
>the time between work and school. Right now I just feel like caving
>and
>bringing it down to the local vw dealer - unless someone can recommend
>a shop
>in the general Glendale Heights surrounding area. Thanks for any
>info.
>
>    Dave Farrer
>    '87 QSW
>
>--__--__--
>
>Message: 15
>Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2002 22:20:35 -0600
>Subject: Bought the V8
>From: Steve Kramer <skramer at mac.com>
>To: <quattro at audifans.com>, <v8 at audifans.com>
>
>Well, looking at all of your comments, I bought the V8.
>Another type 44 1990 V8 with 122k on it.
>
>Drove very well, a lot of pick up. very clean. pearl white exterior /
>black
>interior
>
>Brake pressure was great - was able to pump the brake repeatedly -
>unlike
>the dead bomb in my poor old 89 200
>
>Also the ignition is nice and quick - unlike the 200
>
>No apparent leaks, tracks nicely, solid feeling tranny
>
>
>According to all of you the very first item should be replacing the
>timing
>belt. Talked with Laurel Audi about timing belt price - $1,200 (a bit
>better
>than Midtex' price)
>
>
>
>Now I have some items that I see are'nt working. I'd lik to hear what
>you
>think about the cost and if i can do the repairs myself
>
>1.  Rear driver window not working - you know my 200 had the same
>problem
>2.  front passenger window of track - i hear the sound of the motor
>but no
>movement
>3.  bad contact between defroster button and contactor
>4.  regular beams don't work - only brights - my 200 had this problem
>said
>to replace switch
>5.  Previous owner has a Sony cd deck installed - would like to go
>back to
>the delta system or equal
>       - would like to see if i can still use the cd changer
>6.  Would like to install a rear spoiler and install new wheels
>
>Any case thanks
>
>
>Steve Kramer
>ex 89 200t
>90 V8 quattro
>00 avant quattro
>
>
>
>--__--__--
>
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>End of quattro Digest