Aetius - 9-5-2006 at 16:22
i would like to have some explanation of the rules of thermites reactions .
Because i was surprised that Mg reduced boron trioxide despite the strong b-o bonds (800 kj/mol versus 363 kj/mol for mg-o) and with an exothermic
reaction.
Is it possible to make thermite with others metals than Al or Mg , for example do you think metallic zirconium could reduce boron trioxide in a
thermite reaction?
because i am planning to melt Boron trioxide in a zirconium metal crucible and i don t want it to explode.
(sorry if i ask stupid questions i am not a chemist but a physicist 
)
guy - 9-5-2006 at 16:59
Try using the Gibb's free energy equation and see if it is spontaneous and see if enthalpy of reaction is as exothermic as the other thermites.