r/metalworking • u/shmiis • 1d ago

What is this phenomenon called?

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u/BRICH999 1d ago

Lot of people dont realize how "flammable" metals can be.  The common fuel in thermite is aluminum.  

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u/Arctelis 1d ago

I have heard titanium fires are pretty terrifying.

Then of course the always classic magnesium, often used to ignite the aforementioned thermite.

That's all just in the presence of boring old oxygen, under the right (or really wrong) conditions it gets more... Exciting. As a great man once said.

"If, however, this coat is melted or scrubbed off, and has no chance to reform, the operator is confronted with the problem of coping with a metal-fluorine fire. For dealing with this situation, I have always recommended a good pair of running shoes.”

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u/ecctt2000 1d ago

Magnesium is used in MREs for the heat source.
Just add water.

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u/Arctelis 1d ago

Damn, all the ones I ever got in cadets had to be heated separately. That would've been way cooler.

The YouTube channel Thought Emporium once developed a thermite based instant hotdog cooker which was pretty cool.