On Jun 21, 4:30*pm, "James Silverton" >
wrote:
> *Cindy *wrote *on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:13:44 -0700 (PDT):
>
> >> While we are on the topic of the magic of metallurgy, it may
> >> interest people to know that powdered aluminum is considered
> >> to be hazardous materials that is subject to spontaneous
> >> combustion.
> > Yeah, but it's more fun if you mix it with an oxidizer and put
> > it into a
> > cardboard tube.
>
> It can be ignited but I really doubt about *spontaneous" combustion even
> if you could get it to burn. I know if you mix aluminum powder with iron
> oxide (rust) and ignite it, you get one of the hottest fires that exists
> and it will even burn below water. They call the mix Thermite.

I (deliberately) neglected to mention the short piece of cannon fuse.

I can neither confirm nor deny any actual experience with this
procedure,
even in my youth.

Cindy Hamilton