AN/FO/THERMITE

[xoo1246]

Maybe this is a too small subject to start a new topic on, I'll do it anyway. I was thinking of adding simple thermite (2Al + Fe2O3 -> Al2O3 + 2 Fe) to ANFO(or another AN composition), maybe 20-30%.
What would you think the effect would be in comparation to ANFO?
I guess:

<1> Lower VoD
<2> Possibly better air blast effect
<3> Greater heat of explosion
<4> Maybe a fireball effect
<5> Small hot iron particles flying all over
<6> Large booster required

The only problem is to find a place where you could test the composition without risking setting the neigbourhood on fire.(possibly on a lake)
I can't see any incompatible problems with this composition(not a chemist), can you?
Any comments and suggestions are welcome.
/xoo1246

[kingspaz]

AN is slighlty acid so may corrode the Al and react with the Fe2O3. not sure about that though.
also, would the mix detonate? it would need one hell of a booster as the thermite won't sensitise it greatly. the Al in the thermite would increase its sensitivity but then there may not be enough to react with the Fe2O3. would the thermite react at all? AN is a cool explosive (as in low detonation temperature) this may not be enough to set the thermite off. if however a larger proportion of thermite was used and set off with a sparkler the intense heat may cause the AN to detonate if confined strongly in a steel pipe or somthing that will contain the heat.

[Madog555]

all i think it would do would sensitise the AN more because of the Al. maybe the Fe2O3 would sensitize it too.

[xoo1246]

Remove

<small>[ December 11, 2002, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: xoo1246 ]</small>

[Aechean]

What do you plan the iron in the thermite to do?

[andreas]

I don't know it for certain but I think i've read somewhere the Fe3O2 sensitizes tnt as does sulphur maybe it doe the same to an.
Worth triing as rust is abundant

[Celtick]

Not big enough to make a new topic, so here's the question:
I have some Iron sawdust from an electrical blade saw, but the saw uses some grease/water mix to cool the saw. How can I clean the dust, can I wash it with some alcohol or some mineral oil?

<small>[ April 12, 2002, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: Celtick ]</small>

[nbk2000]

Rinse it in a filter with degreasing solvent, then dry in an oven. No more oil or water.

[BoB-]

My memeory sucks, but I beleive this FAE/HE type bomb is called a "lewis bomb", it was a mixture of oil/C-4/thermite, and would cause great structural damage to wooden/petroleum houses.

Without a sensitizing agent I dont think the AN will detonate, I would use ANNM-plastique, Acetone, and thermit. Or at least ANNM.

Golden rule of mixing, if it starts to smoke, run away.

[xoo1246]

Bob: exactly, without other substances it would propably be harder than to detonate pure AN.
Edit: Has anyone ever dreamt about this, I live in a woody area, can't really dream about it safely.

<small>[ April 17, 2002, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: xoo1246 ]</small>

[Phoenix]

why do you want to add Fe3O3 ???
it does not make much sense (it is used as a katalyst in some firworks but i dont think it has that propertie in this mixture)
just add Al and you have ammonal (and less fuel of course)
An is a better oxidizer here then Fe2O3

[xoo1246]

Remove

<small>[ December 11, 2002, 12:32 PM: Message edited by: xoo1246 ]</small>