The first was to witness an unfettered copper oxide based thermite reaction. Some had assured him it was practically explosive. The other was to attempt refining pure copper using the reaction.

Imagine a thermite reaction where the product is the aluminium oxide rather than the iron. It turned out to be a bit of a stretch for an undergraduate project and didn’t go far.

The Chemistry of Thermite. Many powdered metals, e.g., magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and aluminum (1) will burn because of the increased surface area caused by the grinding process. Magnesium and ...

The thermite reaction is ideal for use not only in welding, but also in incendiary bombs and grenades. ... 13 per cent aluminum and 1 per cent copper that was used for the casing of the bomb. ...

This is why the U.S. Army’s AN-M14 thermite grenades is more classed as a demolition tool than a weapon, used to “damage, immobilize, or destroy vehicles, weapons systems, shelters, or ...

Thermite has limitations as an incendiary weapon due to its small area of effect. Unlike other incendiaries that burn instantly, a thermite reaction heats a small area to a high temperature over a ...