---------------------------------------------- - Computer Anarchists Underground Tfile #002 - ---------------------------------------------- Title: Explosives - Thermite Author: Battery Released: 11-7-91 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thermite is a chemical used mainly to destroy pipes, file cabinets, and heavy equipment. Thermite is also used for temporary welding, but it has no finesse, and is not very strong. Now the part you've all been waiting for... the formula for it. Thermite is composed of magnetic iron flakes and aluminum powder. Thermite may be obtained as a manufactured item or may be improvised for use in welding machinery parts together and burning holes in metal structures. The thermite reaction is initiated by strong heat and cannot be directly ignited with a match, lighter, or fuse. These igniters (found later in this file) are high heat reactions that are capable of producing the heat needed to set off the thermite reaction. Thermite is very safe to handle and transport because of its high ignition temperature. It burns well in cold and windy weather. Thermite will penetrate a sealed container and then ignite the contents. It may be easily improvised if aluminum and magnetic iron flakes of the appropriate size can be found. Materials and equipment: Aluminum powder (no coarser than ground coffee) Iron oxide flakes (Fe3O4 - same size as aluminum) Spoon or cup for measuring Jar or can with tight fitting lid Cardboard can with tight fitting metal ends Preparation: 1. Place three (3) parts by volume of Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) and two (2) parts by volume of aluminum powder into the jar. Fill it about 2/3 full of the mixture so that there is enough room for mixing. 2. Tighten the lid on the jar, turn the jar on its side and slowly roll until the two (2) powders are completely mixed. If you have the time, then mix small amounts of the powders in a mortar and pestle, which will take hours if you do correctly. No matter how you mix the materials, once it is mixed it will last for months without losing effectiveness. Application: Thermite is used to attack metallic targets such as transformers, electric motors, phone areas, gears, boilers, gas storage tank farms, and pipelines. This method produces a quantity of molten metal that streams out of the bottom of the unit. On contact with the target, the molten metal will cut through the outer metal casing and pour molten metal on the contents in it. Thermite is not recommended for use on moderate or wooden structures or other applications where a constant, persistant flame is required. In order to penetrate a steel plate with the minimum quantity of thermite, the bulk of the ignited thermite must be held away from the target during the initial combustion period. This minimizes conductive heat loss (from the thermite to the target) during this period and results in the thermite attaining maximum combustion temperature. When that temperature is reached, the thermite is dropped molten onto the target, and a hole is burned to the innards of the target. Cut a cardboard can (having metal ends) into two (2) equal sections. Example types of cardboard cartons are AJAX and BON AMI. One section of the can must be trimmed to a height of two (2) inches as shown. Side view: -----||----- | -- | | A J A X | | | ------------ The other section is filled 2/3 full with thermite. The thermite is covered with one of the igniters mentioned later in the file. Put the vented section (illustrated above) face down on the target. The metallic end faces up. The section filled with thermite is placed on top of the piece already in place. Both metal ends are now touching. After ignition, the thermite burns a hole through the steel plate, dropping extremely hot particles of molten slag into the target. Welding: A different method is employed to weld materials together. Instead of being mounted several inches above the target, the ajax container is going to be placed directly on the target, as illustrated. /--fuse---* -------|---- | IGNITER | |----------| | THERMITE | | | ####metal###### #####metal#### The heat is conducted from the iron oxide onto the two (2) plates and a weld is made. Igniter: Powdered Aluminum/Sulfur Pellets: This igniter consists of finely powdered aluminum, sulfur and starch which have been thoroughly mixed and shaped into hardened cylindrical pellets. The pellet is drilled with a small size drill bit, filled with gunpowder, and can be ignited with a match or a fuse. Material: Finely powdered Aluminum (no coarser than powdered flour) Finely powdered Sulfur (same consistency) Finely powdered Starch (same consistency) Water Cylindrical tube about 4 inches long and 3/4 inch inside diameter made of Metal, Wood, Glass, or Plastic. Rod which fits into the above tube. Rod about 3/8 inch in diameter (should be about one-half the inside diameter of the 4-inch long tube) Mixing bowl Tablespoon Teaspoon Stove or hot plate Knife Measuring container Preparation: 1. Place 6 tablespoons of aluminum powder in a mixing bowl then add 15 tablespoons of powdered sulfur. 2. Mix the two powders gently with the spoon for a few minutes until no unmixed particles of sulfur are visible. 3. In a separate pot add two teaspoons of laundry starch to about 6 ounces of water and boil gently for a few minutes. Stir until the starch is dissolved and allow the solution to cool to room temperature. 4. When cool, take about one-half of the starch solution and add it to the mixture of aluminum and sulfur powder. 5. Mix with a spoon until the whole mass is a smooth, evenly mixed, putty-like paste. 6. Fill the cylindrical tube with this paste. Place one end of this tube on a hard surface and tamp the paste with the 3/8 inch diameter rod to squeeze out the air bubbles and consolidate the paste. 7. Push the paste out of the tube with the larger diameter rod, which just fits the tube, and pushes out a tube of paste. Cut the cylinder into 1 1/2 inch blocks. 8. Dry these pieces at 90øF for at least 24 hours. 9. Drill a small hole in one end of the pellets and fill it with gunpowder. In that put a fuse. Tape the fuse down. Use with Thermite: A cluster of three pellets should be used. Bury the pellets in the thermite. Light the fuse and the target will soon be melted. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Computer Anarchists Underground | CAU welcomes Tfile submissions. | |------------------------------------| Contact us through any member | | South of Heaven......[713]464-9013 | board or through Usenet at: | | ACiD CULT............[713]343-1342 | | | Brain Damage.........[819]778-0454 | allah@taronga.com | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------