Thermite
Welding powder mixture
Thermite is a mixture of metal powder and metal oxide that burns at extremely high temperatures when ignited—hot enough to melt through steel.
The classic formula combines aluminum powder with iron oxide.
Thermite is used for welding railroad tracks, cutting through metal, and in incendiary devices.
The reaction, once started, cannot be extinguished with water.
Vessel for extreme heat
- moldForm-giving container
- castingShaping through liquid form
- fusionJoining into unity
- jointShared by multiple parties
track maintenance · field repair · molten metal · pour · preheating
Fe plus oxygen
- aluminum powderPulverized lightweight metallic element
- reductionMaking something smaller
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- ignitionStarting combustion process
reagent · combustion · synthesis · molten iron · slag · activation energy
Dividing via sharp edge
- foundryMetal casting facility
- metallurgyScience of extracting metals
- steel productionManufacturing iron-carbon alloy
- smeltingExtracting metal from ore
emergency repair · heavy equipment · shipyard · structural steel · pipeline · offshore · remote location · maintenance
Causing or designed for burning
- breachingBreaking through something
- demolitionDeliberate structural destruction
- armor piercingDefeats protective plating
- grenadeHandheld thrown explosive
munitions · sabotage · destruction · penetration · bunker · disabling · warfare · tactical
crucible
Vessel for extreme heat
joint · track maintenance · field repair · molten metal · pour · preheating
iron oxide
Fe plus oxygen
- aluminum powderPulverized lightweight metallic element
- reductionMaking something smaller
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
ignition · reagent · combustion · synthesis · molten iron · slag · activation energy
cutting
Dividing via sharp edge
- foundryMetal casting facility
- metallurgyScience of extracting metals
- steel productionManufacturing iron-carbon alloy
smelting · emergency repair · heavy equipment · shipyard · structural steel · pipeline · offshore · remote location · maintenance
incendiary
Causing or designed for burning
- breachingBreaking through something
- demolitionDeliberate structural destruction
- armor piercingDefeats protective plating
grenade · munitions · sabotage · destruction · penetration · bunker · disabling · warfare · tactical · ordnance
Thermiteexplosive
Prone to sudden detonation
dynamite · TNT · C-4 · detonator · nitroglycerin
Thermiteliquid nitrogen
Cryogenic form of air's main component
cryogen · dry ice · coolant · refrigerant · liquid helium
Thermitefire retardant
Substance that inhibits ignition
fireproofing · thermal insulation · heat shield · rust inhibitor · protective coating