Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Magnesium Sulfate thermite

symboom - 20-4-2011 at 11:37

Magnesium Sulfate thermite

Al+MgSO4>AlO3 + MgO +SO2
i think i read some where magnesium sulfate decomposes at high temp. forming SO2

has any one tried this mixture by dehydrating magnesium sulfate crushing it and combining with aluminum

i think magnesium sulfate would not be used because it is hygroscopic
and i am not sure what its coloring would be white?

excerpt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrotechnic_composition
# Sulfates (reactions require high temperatures and strongly reducing fuels):

* Sodium sulfate – a high-temperature oxidizer, a yellow colorant
* Potassium sulfate – a high-temperature oxidizer, a purple colorant
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* Calcium sulfate – a high-temperature oxidizer for e.g. strobe compositions, a red-orange colorant; calcium salts used to deepen fireworks colors [6]
* Strontium sulfate – a high-temperature oxidizer, a red colorant
* Barium sulfate – a high-temperature oxidizer for e.g. strobe compositions, a green colorant


[Edited on 20-4-2011 by symboom]

argyrium - 20-4-2011 at 11:47

I think you will find that this has been covered quite a bit http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=14469&... and in other threads.

Morgan - 20-4-2011 at 14:39

Perhaps a bit off the subject but magnesium sulfate and magnesium powder burn quite brightly when mixed together and lit.

White Yeti - 31-7-2011 at 09:12

Any metal sulphates work, calcium sulphate included, just as long as your aluminium powder is fine enough. I have tried this myself and it didn't work, mainly because my Al wasn't fine enough.