Thermite, Part 1

Cr2O3 + 2Al ----> 2Cr + Al2O3 + Heat

The guys on Mythbusters tried to cut a car in half using thermite. Our experiment was on a slightly smaller scale.

Last Friday we finally had all of the materials assembled for our thermite experiment, which we have been planning for some time. We had some friends and uncle Axel over, which made it even more fun. Note the materials--propane torch, graphite crucible, assorted chemicals sourced from United Nuclear, . . .


We started with Chromium Oxide. Why? Because chromium is cool, and chromium oxide is an awesome green color.


This glow is from the magnesium ribbon that we used to ignite the thermite in the graphite crucible. The graphite can handle 5,000 degrees F, which is good, because the molten chromium is around 4,500 degrees F. Chromium thermite burns very slowly, leaving a pool of glowing orange molten chromium in the center of the powder. The graphite crucible got so hot it left burn marks on the 2 by 4's it was sitting on.


Here is the melted chromium we pulled out at the end of the experiment. It worked, but the slow reaction was a little disappointing.

Next up, iron oxide. . . Stay tuned.