[rescue] Re: Thermite Was: J. Boyd's sister's attitude problem.

[Dave McGuire]

On July 13, Michael Hansen wrote:
> >  And yes, thermite *is* as easy as mixing iron oxide with aluminum
> >powder.  It's just a pain to ignite.  
> 
> How well does the magnesium ribbon method work? A friend if mine 
> swiped all the rolls of it he could back in high school chem lab.
> I guess you can ignite the magnesium with a blow torch, and the
> magnesium will burn hot enough to touch off the thermite. I've
> never seen it done, however.

  Magnesium ribbon definitely burns hot enough to ignite thermite.  You
can ignite magnesium ribbon with a lighter if it's thin enough.  The
problem is getting your hands on magnesium ribbon!

> >I've made it several times.
> 
> Somehow, that doesn't surprise me;^>

  Eh?  8-/

    -Dave McGuire