HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: khartman@fnalc.fnal.gov
Subject: Re: Thermite Ignition
Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Lab
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 20:22:18 GMT
X-Posted-From: fnalc.fnal.gov
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

Hey Gang,

	I wanted to add my two cents and describe the igniter system that
has worked well for me when I demonstrate the Thermite Reaction.  Since I 
use commercial Thermite, which is fairly coarse and needs a lot of heat to
ignite, I use TWO igniters.

	The primary igniter consists of powdered Potassium Permanganate
and Glycerine.  Experiment with this FIRST WITHOUT THERMITE to get a feel for
the time delay.  Powdered permanganate will react faster with Glycerine than
will large crystals.  I find it helpful to make a small depression in the 
permanganate to get a "puddle" of Glycerine.  I have never had a failure
when I was meticulous with this preparation.  This is the fuse, so use care!

	The secondary igniter consists of one part Barium Peroxide and 
three parts powdered Aluminum (both measured by volume).  Carefully mix
together, make a crater in the thermite, and pour the secondary igniter
into the crater.  Spread the primary igniter over the secondary, and make
a slight depression in the primary (permanganate).

	To start the reaction, place about four drops of Glycerine into
the depression in the permanganate.  GET A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY!  The reaction
is "armed" and can go at any time.  The nice thing about this igniter system
is that you usually see a puff of smoke right before the primary igniter 
flames.  This is your last warning to get away from "ground zero".  This
system also eliminates the need to be standing over the Thermite with a lit
match, trying to get the Magnesium ribbon lit.  I don't care to be standing 
there if the match head, or a piece of hot metal, falls into the igniter.

	I would strongly suggest that someone try the Thermite Reaction
outdoors first, to get the feel of the reaction.  Also, start with small 
amounts of Thermite, then scale up to get the effect you want.  Good luck,
and BE CAREFUL!


						Ken Hartman
From: dshelton@galaxy.gov.bc.ca
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Re: funky green gas
Date: 28 Sep 92 14:14:22 -0700
Organization: BC Systems Corporation

In article <1992Sep23.223326.23208@nntp.uoregon.edu>, davidw@cie.uoregon.edu (David Weingarten) writes:
> My father taught Chemistry for some time at U of Chicago, and was telling
> me at some point about some green gas that he used as a class demonstration,
> but he couldn't remember what it was.  He said that you put the stuf
> together (he said he wasn't sure, but he thought it was sulfuric acid
> and potassium nitrate) and the gas just floated up from the mixture.
> Then you stood about 10' away and shot something through the gas (a spit-
> wad from a straw or some such thing) and it exploded.  He said that if
> you just let it go, it floated up to the ceiling and harmlessly 
> dissapated.  ANybody have any idea what this stuff would have been,
> and how one would go about making it?


The gas that fits the description best is chlorine dioxide. 

- made by adding sulfuric acid to KClO3 (not KNO3, but reasonable substitution,
given imperfect memory)
- greenish in colour
- highly explosive (tends to go off spontaneously, fits with description, any
organic material will set it off)
- heavier than air (wouldn't have fitted with "floated up from the mixture" but
this can be interpreted as "given off by the ingredients". None of the
possible candidates mentioned would have fitted the description "up to the
ceiling", with chlorine weighing in at 70 gms per mole they all would be heavier
than air. CLO2 weighs in at about 67 gms per mole and is about 2.5 times
heavier than air. It would stay in an open container if undisturbed.


Dave
From: v064myby@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Christophe J Quaranta)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Tennis Ball Cannons
Date: 6 Oct 92 15:15:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


	Some friends of mine in Ohio made an excellent tennis ball cannon.
It used a large coffee can as the c.c., and 5 or so soup cans as the barrel.
About 1 inch from the back of the c.c. was a can lid cut to the shape of
a turbine wheel. They affixed this in place and put some metal scraps between
it and the back of the coffee can. This was so the fuel could be mixed well
with air.
	It worked quite impressively, although I only saw it fire in our
apartment complex so I'm not sure how many metres the ball would've gone.
Gasoline was the fuel used.
					Latre,
					Chris
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: cerebrus@eskimo.celestial.com (Dan Scherck)
Subject: A&E Followup
Organization: -> ESKIMO NORTH (206) For-Ever <-
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 05:09:28 GMT


Well, there they are, edited slightly, since I removed all the articles
within about "boxes" and "phreaking" and what-not. 
Please remember this was a hacker text file, and I take no
responsibility for the information contained within them.
Also, please forgive my somewhat unorthodox posting method. 
And the fist A&E(2/6) which I phucked up. Sorry folx.
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Re: electrical igniters
Date: 2 Oct 92 17:45:21 GMT
Article-I.D.: hpcvaac.1992Oct2.174521.635
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA

glasnost@igc.apc.org (GlasNet) writes:
: 
: Here is a method for making electrical igniters:
: 
... procedure deleted ...

It is much easier to go to the local hobby shop and buy
model rocket engine igniters. The Estes variety are also
much cheaper than modifying light bulbs. The Copperhead
igniters by Aerotech are only 40 or 50 cents apiece. They
are much more sturdy than either Estes igniters or the
modified lightbulbs.

Bill
From: ch_hayhurst@vax.muskingum.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: need access to chemicals
Date: 4 Oct 92 20:37:25 GMT
Organization: Muskingum College

I would like to know how to get chemicals that are restricted to make
pyrotechnics(eg. sodium chlorate).  Do you need a liscence so you can get them,
or must I steal the necessary chemicals from a lab, or what?  Any input would
be extremly helpful, seeing as how playing with M-80's gets a little old after 
a while.

     Thanks,
             Chris Hayhurst
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Re: Funky Green Gas...
Date: 28 Sep 92 16:05:58 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA

jake@mid.america.usa writes:
:  billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson) writes:
: 
: >: That funky Green Gas was probably (but not sure) gasesous HCL
: >: Probably made from sulphuric acid and salt (sodium chloirde)
: >: I recall my highschool chem teacher saying that it could be ignited
: >: with a flash light shinning on it from across the room...
: >
: >That would not be HCL gas - it cannot be ignited that way. There is
: >a gaseous chlorine compound that is highly unstable, but I do not
: >recall at the moment just what it is. 
: >
: >Bill
: 
: Perhaps the Devil misremembered (perhaps I do also).  Isn't a mixture
: of H2 - Cl a classic example of a photosensitive reaction mixture that
: can be initiated by a light source? 

Exactly. Sorry, my statement was unclear. HCl gas is generated by the   
reaction given, but it does not react in the way the poster stated.

Mixtures of hydrogen and chlorine gases can be ignited by actinic radiation,
spark, heat or insertion of a catalyst.  I do not recall the mix being shock
sensitive.

Bill
From: GlasNet <glasnost@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Date: 01 Oct 92 20:11 PDT
Subject: electrical igniters
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1457800018:000:967
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!glasnost    Oct  1 20:11:00 1992


Here is a method for making electrical igniters:

1.  Many smokeless powders are soluble in acetone, forming a
viscous liquid about the consistency of honey.  Make some of this
liquid by dissolving about 5 grams of smokeless powder in
approximately 20 ml of acetone.  Keep the liquid in a tightly
closed container; I used a small glass bottle with a 3 cm mouth.

2.  Take a 6V flashlight bulb and attach two wires to the base,
then crack the glass envelope.  If this is done by carefully and
slowly applying pressure with a vice the envelope will break off
reasonably cleanly, leaving the filament exposed and intact.

3.  Dip the filament in the solution of 1.  Let it dry.

4.  It may be necessary to repeat 3. several times to build up a
coating which is strong enough to support and protect the
filament.

5.  If 6V is now applied to the wires attached to the base, the
filament will ignite the smokeless powder and anything else in
contact with it.

Dr. Explodo
From: stalker@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Javier LaSalle Williams)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Re: Anarchy & Explosives (FINALLY!)
Date: 30 Sep 1992 20:57:44 GMT
Organization: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4


Hello,

	This a test, this is only a test, if this were for real this message
would contain warnings, and instruction ... .....

- Stalker

-- 
|  stalker@csd4.csd.uwm.edu  | University of Wisconsin Milwaukee   |      
|----------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| "If the answer is 'What's the question?', then the question is." |  
|                                     - Paul T.G.E. Britton        |
From: brom@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au (David Bromage)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Re: hairspray powered mock cannon
Date: 6 Oct 92 03:40:20 GMT
Organization: Monash University General Access Unix
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]

deanp@peg.pegasus.oz.au wrote:
: 
: A friend saw some people in a park the other day, dressed in period
: costume an having a mock battle.  One of the people had a device that
: my friend found most interesting: a mock cannon that shot tennis balls
: about two hundred metres.  I was basically a tube with piezo (?) electric
: gas igniter built into the base.  You fill the tube with hairspray and
: pop a tennis ball in, hit the igniter and off it goes.
: 
: My friends questions to this conference:
: 
:   o what hairspray would be best (if you have seen one before)

Any one with a hydrocarbon propellant, not chorofluorocarbons or nitrous
oxide.

: 
:   o what other gas could be used that was easily available & dispensable

Possibly propane or butane, available in small cans from camping suppliers.
Natural gas or acetylene would be expensive and too powerful.

: 
: the main problem it seems is getting something that will generate a fair
: "pop" to launch the tennis ball without peeling the thing open, and without
: having to be to concerned with the gas/air mixture.

With butane use a fuel/air ratio of 1:2, with propane use 2:3. Sorry can't
help past that.


Although not in the realm of this newsgroup, compressed air might be a
beter method of firing tennis balls. A short burst of 100psi air should do
the trick.

Cheers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Bromage       brom@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au   : 
Monash University                                : "I think thinking is 
Clayton, Victoria   				 :  so important"
 Australia                                       : 	-Baldrick
 						 :   
     May the source be with you			 :     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	All views expressed are my own except those which conflict with
	my personal opinions.
Organization: Central Michigan University
Date: Monday, 5 Oct 1992 14:58:46 EDT
From: Richard C. Dougherty <344DFYH@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Re: Thermite Ignition
Distribution: usa
 <1992Oct5.180526.28143@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com>

With Aluminum powder 1 part and 3 parts Iron Oxide, I use the following:
5 parts Barium Peroxide and 1 part Magnesium powder.
ALL PARTS BY WEIGHT! With the Thermite mixture the smaller the Aluminum
the faster the mixture will burn, hence it will not get as hot. On the
other hand it might be easier to ignite..I've always been able to ignite
my thermite using the abouve formula! I guess the average Aluminum particle
size is 190 mesh.. Please use a long fuse and GET BACK! Thermite was used
to melt through enemy tanks etc....
                                           Chip..
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Re: Thermite Ignition
Date: 5 Oct 92 18:05:26 GMT
Article-I.D.: hpcvaac.1992Oct5.180526.28143
Distribution: usa
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA

nauckwj3@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Jeremy Nauck) writes:
: I know that for some the glyerine and potassium permangenate combination works
: well.  The Potassium permangenate is supposidly available from Sears as a water
: softner product, and the glycerine at any drug store.  Add the powdered
: permangenate to the thermite making a cone with it, then place a drop of
: the glycerine on the top of the cone.  This gives about a 5-10 sec delay before
: ignition Be aware that I have not tried this 
: before, but have heard numerous praises from people on this newsgroup before.
: Remember, molten iron is not fun to keep contained!!  Take care with it!
: Any additions Bill?

I have posted on this igniter before.

The permanganate does does not have to be powdered - I have always used it
in the crystaline form.

I dilute the glycerine with a small amount of water - it makes the reaction
start faster.  The delay time is fairly constant, with the same crystal size,
dilution of glycerine and ambient temperature. It seems to run around 20-30
seconds - with the material I use.

I have not used it to ignite thermite - so cannot say how well it would work.

Thermite splatters. If moisture is present, it can "explode". As you say,
molten iron (and aluminum) are not fun substances to get in contact with
the skin.

Bill
From: 344DFYH@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU (Richard C. Dougherty)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: chemicals?
Date: 28 Sep 92 00:15:27 GMT
Organization: Central Michigan University

Where does everyone get their chemicals? Where can I get strong sulfuric
and nitric acids etc. I by most my chemicals from Firefox Industies in
Pocatello, ID....I also have a BATF licence to experiment with
low explosives etc...
                                                Your replies would be
                                                Appreciated...
                                                     thanx..
                                                           Chip
From: v064myby@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Christophe J Quaranta)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: test
Date: 28 Sep 92 05:08:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

test test test
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: buda@star.enet.dec.com (Mark A. Buda)
Subject: Re: Chemicals
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 22:49:15 GMT


In article <92272.143220344DFYH@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>, Richard C. Dougherty <344DFYH@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> writes...
>Where can I find a company that carries a lot of chemicals? Where can I
>find strong sulfuric and nitric acids etc?...I have a BATF license to
>experiment with low explosives and I get my chems from Firefox Enterprises
>in Pocatello Idaho, but they do not suit all my needs...

Would you mind sharing how you got your license and what it
took in your state?
What limitations are put on you with this license?

	- mark

buda@star.enet.dec.com
...!decwrl!star.enet.dec.com!buda
buda%star.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: cerebrus@eskimo.celestial.com (Dan Scherck)
Subject: Anarchy
Organization: -> ESKIMO NORTH (206) For-Ever <-
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 04:49:52 GMT


                     **** DISCLAIMER ****
Well, folks, due to overwhelming demand, (I got 20+ responses the first
night....) I have decided to post the Anarchy And Explosives files here.
Please note, that I do not know the contents completely, and there is a 
good chance that a lot of this is simply old hat for many of you.
I know, for instance, that there are more than one articles from 
The Poor Man's James bond in here, and it may in fact be copyrighted.
I TAKE NO RESPOINSIBILITY FOR THE CONTENTS OF THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES!
Also, because I am a lazy bum, the files amy contain a lot of ^M's which
I didn't feel like editing out....
Enjoy.
From: v064myby@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Christophe J Quaranta)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: test
Date: 30 Sep 92 04:59:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


	Test TES test etstets stest tes
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: 9119175@sunvax.sun.ac.za (Jacques Strydom)
Subject: Ignition of gasoline
Organization: University of Stellenbosch, RSA
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 10:42:31 GMT

I onced tried to make a kind of "bang machine" using petrol.  (I became tired
of mixing gunpowder)

I took a thick steel tube of about 3" in diameter and 2 feet long, welded 
close the bottom and screwed a sparkplug into the side of the tube.

I connected a wire to the base of the tube and one to the plug.

I put 100ml petrol in the tube and blocked the mouth of the tube with
a piece of cloth covered with candle wax.  Then i heated the tube for a 
while to get the petrol vapourizing.

Then i applied +- 2200 volt with a frequence of 0.5 Hz to the wires.  

Nothing hapened except that the plug was sparking for hell inside the tube.


Does anyone have an idea why the petrol did not ignite.

Any simmilar ideas are most welcome.



Jacques
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: tayloe@rtsg.mot.com (Dan Tayloe)
Subject: Poor Flash Performance
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: NA
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 17:28:09 GMT


I was attempting to make some flash powder the other night
and have had some miserable results.  I am using a 2:1 ratio
(by weight) of potassium perchlorate and aluminum.  What I
end up with is a reaction that reminds me more of a rail road
flare than of any high speed flash.  Furthermore, once started,
the reaction often dies out before consuming all the available
powder.

The aluminum is 325 mesh and the potassium perchlorate has the
consistancy of caked powered sugar (ie, lumps that break up into
very fine powder).  After about 10 minutes of mixing, the two 
powders seem throughly combined.

I have tried heating the resulting mixture gently under a lightbulb 
for a while in an attempt to drive off any moisture that might
have picked up.... The results are no different.  The addition of
some sulfur helps only marginally. 

Is 325 mesh aluminum not fine enough for flash?

Why does the flame not always consume all the powder? 

Thanks for any comments you can contribute.
From: acase@reed.edu (Andrew Case)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Ramjets
Date: 1 Oct 92 06:10:26 GMT
Organization: Reed College, Portland, OR


I recall reading a while ago (I believe it was here) an article
describing how to make a working ramjet using a deoderant can
as a major component (combustion chamber, I believe). Does
anyone out there have information on this? - If so, could you
please send me email? I have finally got some free time, and I
would love to try building a small ramjet.

Thanks for your time.

....................Andrew
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: jrkitchi@eos.ncsu.edu (JOHN ROBERT KITCHIN)
Subject: napalm********
Originator: jrkitchi@c00065-100lez.eos.ncsu.edu
Reply-To: jrkitchi@eos.ncsu.edu (JOHN ROBERT KITCHIN)
Organization: North Carolina State University, Project Eos
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 02:02:10 GMT


I am currently compiling a file about napalm.  If anybody in this group has 
any information on the manufacture, both improvised and industrial, constituents
, or other information concerning it, please post or e-mail it to me at
jrkitchi@eos.ncsu.edu    Please include the source for documentation purposes.
   Thanks in advance.
-John
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: thimm@russell.ira.uka.de (Georg Thimm)
Subject: Re: electrical igniters
Organization: Mantafahrer Anonym
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 18:45:33 GMT


And an other one. This method is not the best but have a look:

You need: 
- fine steel wool (as fine as possible, usually needed for
cleaning purposes)
- a capacitor about 200 to 300 uF / 350V (found in a TV)
- a diode ( for example 1N1007)
- a resistor 10 K Ohm
- a plug
- 2 clamps
- some ISOLATED wire and stuff for soldering.
       
Prepare:

     ___                       -   +
  __|   |____+-----+_____|/|_____| |____
    |   |    +-----+     |\|     | |    |
  __|   |_______________________________|
    |___|

whit the capacitor attached by the clamps.

Be aware of the correct orientation of the capacitator and the diode!

BEFORE you plug in 

TAKE CARE THAT YOU ARE STANDING ISOLATED
TAKE CARE THAT YOU ARE NOT IN CONTACT WITH SOME BARE METAL

plug in

wait a minute ... 


PLUG OUT !!!!!!!!!!!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Now there are sqrt(2) * 220V = 310V resp. sqrt(2)*110V= 155V tension
in the capacitor.

Take the capacitor carefully apart.

Put the contacts into a small ball made of steel wool.
A small bang ad the glow of the steel wool will cause some ideas about
future experiments.

have fun and BE CAREFUL!!!!!!

Georg
--




*****************************************************************
Georg Thimm, Schwarzwaldstr. 52, W-7128 Trossingen 1, Deutschland
E-Mail: thimm@ira.uka.de
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
From: rubin@skiing.cis.ohio-state.edu (Daniel Rubin)
Subject: Re: Flash Powder Problems
Keywords: flash powder
Organization: The Ohio State University Dept. of Computer and Info. Science
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 01:31:50 GMT

>The other night, I was trying to make up a bit of flash powder 
>and was not having much sucess.
>
>I tried two different formulations, one was a 2:1 mixture (by 
>weight) of potassium perchlorate and aluminum.
>
>The second mixture was 64% KClO4, 23% Al, 13% S.
>
>Neither one of these two formulation flashed, but rather
>did a somewhat slow burn rather like a railroad flare.  The
>sulfur combination did burn faster than the other.
>
>I even had problems keeping the first mixture going once it
>started.  Many times it burned off only the upper layer of
>powder.

Boy this situation scares me...

When I first made flash powder sometime last year I did it with 400+ atomized
aluminum powder and Potassium Perchlorate in a 30:70 ratio.  I filled the end
cap of a mailer tube ( about 2" diameter and 2" high ) half way with the 
mixture stuck some visco ( green waterproof type ) fuse in it lit the fuse and
didn't know what to expect.  Well it worked, scared the shit out of me, I
saw spots from the flash ( and it was about 5pm and I ran back about 30 feet
to watch the stuff go off ) and set off about a half a dozen car alarms
around the block.  This was a very powerfull blast and the shock wave went
right through me ( actually that was very cool ).  The top of the end cap was
completly open and I didn't expect it to do that - serious adrenaline rush... 

I don't know why yours isn't working.  I would think that 325 mesh would work
fine.  Maybe it is flake which may not burn as fast ( flake aluminum looks 
quite different from spheriod or granular thought. ).  Maybe your ratios are
not as you think.  Remember that it should be a 70:30 ratio of KClO4 to Al 
by weight and not volume.  A 50:50 ratio will usually just burn and not 
explode.

Anyways please treat all flash mixtures with respect.  I am glad the first
time I did it I got the explosion I got.  That really scared me.  I started
to realize that the same shit that could set off a car alarm on the next 
block was right in my face while I was mixing it.  If the stuff fizziled the
first time I may have been inclined to throw a match on it the next try or
worse hold a match to it which would be a "bad thing" for my person.

Flash powder is serious and sensitive stuff...

								 - Dan
-- 
  Daniel Joseph Rubin    |  "...A good football team for the alumni, parking
rubin@cis.ohio-state.edu |  for the faculty and sex for the students."
      GO        GO       |  - President E. Gordon Gee on the three things that
    BENGALS  BUCKEYES    |  a great university president must provide.....
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics