Thermite

Thermite ( from Greek: θερμός ( " thermos ") = warm) is a trade and brand name for a mixture of iron (III ) oxide and aluminum granules, which is primarily for welding aluminothermal eg from rail joints and is used for other thermite or aluminothermy. The two materials are typically granulated with a binder to keep flowing, and to prevent separation and water absorption.

The thermite reaction was discovered by Hans Goldschmidt in the 1890s and in 1895 patented.

" Thermite " is a registered trademark of Goldschmidt -Thermit-Group, which has separated from Goldschmidt AG 1999.

Generally, the term Thermite free-flowing mixture of more or less finely divided metals with certain metal oxides, which after reaction initiation by special pyrotechnic ignition (eg mixture of barium peroxide and magnesium) in a short time with the evolution of large amounts of heat and the formation of the previously implement the metal contained in the metal oxide.

It is used for military purposes in the form of grenades. The thermite is also used in track construction to weld rail ends together and to create a seamless track body. Another use was, without having to separate them from the hull construction of major shipbuilding parts and their repair. Thermite is also suitable for the demolition of buildings with steel structures.

Development

A reduction of the ingredients to nanoparticles led to the development of Nanothermits. This has different properties than conventional thermite, which makes it interesting for military applications beyond fire means.