Thermite is a substance which is used in welding and incindeary grenades. Thermite is very hot and will burn through most substances. Caution should be used when creating a thermite reaction. Thermite will burn at temperatures in excess of one thousand degrees. Thermite is a mixture of aluminum and ferric oxide (rust). The mixture is in the ratio of 8 grams of iron oxide(rust) to 3 grams of aluminum shavings.

Aluminum shavings can be obtained from a machine shop, the inside of an etch-a-sketch, or even from a paint store. The ferric oxide is most easily obtained by placing steel wool in a container with bleach and water or vinegar and water. The steel wool will have to soak in the fluid for some time and then you can filter out the rust using a coffee strainer.

The aluminum and ferric oxide must be weighed seperately and then mixed. The mixture is by weight and not by size so they will almost look like a half and half mixture to the naked eye.

Image via Wikipedia

To light the thermite, you will need to obtain a very high temperature for lighting. Magnesium flame is usually the best source of lighting the thermite. This flame can be obtained from a welding supply store or from a sparkler that contains magnesium. When the thermite is lit, make sure to quickly retreat to a safe distance. Everything nearby will get very hot.

Image via Wikipedia