Termite is an incendiary mixture used in welding for melting metals. It burns at around 2,200 ° C and can melt most metals. Extreme caution is required when handling termite. You need to remove any flammable or combustible materials from the area, and make sure you don't leave anything under the termite or else you're in trouble!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Adopt Safety Precautions
Step 1. Choose the area to work carefully
Make sure there is nothing that can burn within four meters of the reaction zone. Check that metals with low melting points, such as lead, tin, cadmium or zinc, are not within this area.
Step 2. Put on a welding mask to fully protect your face, or at least put on some sunglasses
Termite, in addition to being extremely hot, emits UV radiation if not handled properly, which can damage the eyes.
Step 3. Wear sturdy gloves and protect your body
As a precaution, the whole body must be covered with clothing and be sure to wear thick gloves.
Method 2 of 2: Making the Termite
Step 1. Take finely pulverized iron oxide (rust), aluminum powder and a thin strip of magnesium
The iron oxide and aluminum will react to form the termite, while the magnesium will serve as the ignition material.
- You can find aluminum powder at a paint shop, or you can buy it on the internet.
- If you don't want to use magnesium strips to ignite the materials, you can alternatively use a combination of potassium permanganate and glycerin, you can find both in retail and online stores.
Step 2. Combine the iron oxide powder with the aluminum in a weight ratio of 8 to 3
Since aluminum is very light, it will seem like a mixture with a volume ratio of 50-50.
For example, if you have 10 grams of iron oxide and 10 grams of aluminum, take 8 grams of iron oxide and 3 grams of aluminum powder and mix the substances together until the mixture is completely homogeneous
Step 3. Pour the mixture into a sturdy container, such as a cast iron container or clay flower pot
Warning: if you ignite the termite in the cast iron container it will melt with it.
Step 4. Insert the magnesium strip
Step 5. Ignite the magnesium strip which will burn in seconds
If you use potassium permanganate and glycerin, first put three parts of glycerin, then mix them with one part of potassium permanganate. If this compound does not ignite, it is best to use a magnesium strip.
Advice
- Consider placing a mold under the termite to collect the molten metal produced.
- Do not ignite termite on public property or on roads, sidewalks, or other transit routes. If you do harm, you can get in trouble and cause problems for others.
- Since lighting the magnesium fuse can be difficult, you can try using a propane torch.
- Do not put the termite in ice or any other container that is below room temperature or it will explode.
Warnings
- Do not try to extinguish the reaction of the termite with water. If you have carefully identified the area to work, it is safer to let it burn completely. If not, use large amounts of dry sand. The termite reaction is irreversible once it has begun.
- Lighting the termite on a block of ice is highly discouraged as it can cause a dangerous explosion.
- Do not pour more termite on the ignited termite or hot reagents
- Use only very sturdy, thick containers, and don't touch them as the termite burns.
- This is a dangerous activity. Termite burns at an extremely high temperature and can cause burns. It is also illegal in some regions.
- Do not look at the flame directly, use soldering goggles.
- Keep a fire extinguisher on hand (to put out secondary fires; putting out a metal fire is almost impossible) and a first aid kit, wear appropriate safety equipment (goggles, fireproof gown, heavy gloves).
- Make sure the magnesium strip is long enough to allow you to maintain a safe distance.
- Don't try to pulverize metals yourself. Buy them in jars from a chemical company.
- Call for help if you have any problems.
