Headspin

Apr 29 2008, 06:08 AM

ordinary thermite mixed correctly burns at 4500F, well above the melting temperature (2800F) of steel.

Steel conducts heat very quickly so any heat coming into contact with the steel is quickly transferred into the steel - this is why steel feels cold to the touch- because it takes the heat from your hand VERY QUICKLY.

you are confusing the slow heating up of steel from its room temperature up to its melting point with the direct contact of 4500F heat with steel.

Quote:

 

Thermate is a variation of thermite and is an incendiary pyrotechnic composition that can generate short bursts of exceedingly high temperatures focused on a small area for a short period of time.

The main chemical reaction in thermate is the same as in thermite: an aluminothermic reaction between powdered aluminum and a metal oxide. In addition to thermite, thermate also contains sulfur and sometimes barium nitrate, both of which increase its thermal effect, create flame in burning, and significantly reduce the ignition temperature[citation needed]. Various mixtures of these compounds can be called thermate, but, to avoid confusion with Thermate-TH3, one can refer to them as thermite variants or analogs. The composition by weight of Thermate-TH3 (in military use) is 68.7% thermite, 29.0% barium nitrate, 2.0% sulfur and 0.3% binder (such as PBAN). As both thermite and thermate are notoriously difficult to ignite, initiating the reaction normally requires trained human supervision and sometimes persistent effort.

Because thermate burns at higher temperatures than ordinary thermite[citation needed], it has useful military applications in cutting through tank armor or other hardened military vehicles or bunkers. As with thermite, thermate's ability to burn for short periods of time without an external supply of oxygen renders it useful for underwater demolition.