Making powdered aluminum

[temp128]

Hello, I've been searching for an efficient way to make aluminum powder for my chemistry projects. So far I've been using a bench grinder and collecting the filings, but this is very slow.

I have at my disposal a lathe/miller, but I have no idea if it can produce a powder.

Any suggestions? The finer the better.

[aggie_67]

I am a retired chemical engineer which is good and bad. Learned a lot but can't remember most of it!!! But don't think it is possible to get aluminum powder from grinding, milling etc., concern is that the heat would turn the dust into aluminum.

Know of a possible source for powder but since the only requirement I know for powder is explosives I'll keep that one to myself!

[diecutter]

Powdered aluminum is much finer than the finest grindings; it's like talcum powder. You can buy it inexpensively at the larger paint stores or craft supply stores. Just checked Ebay. Search ALUMINUM POWDER and up will pop dozens of listings selling various grades for about $12.50 per pound delivered.

[bkinman]

He is probably making thermite, Which is not explosive.. and also not illegal to make in almost all US states.... You can even buy it online if you want.

[Kipper]

Originally Posted by bkinman He is probably making thermite, Which is not explosive.. and also not illegal to make in almost all US states.... You can even buy it online if you want.

The next post will ask regarding a source for Solidox I wouldnt divulge much....After all less than 2 miles away from my home is where the UK Murder bombers had their factory/lived!!

[aggie_67]

Know everyone wants to help fellow metal workers but really should let temp128 say what he is making!!! Don't put words in his mouth like thermite.

Aluminum powder can also make some heavy duty explosive materials. Did notice that he just joined and this is his 1st post.

[temp128]

I understand everyone's suspicions, but I assure you my intentions are merely educational. I plan to use it as a fuel in various fuel-oxidizer compositions, mostly for model rockets.

I know I can buy it, but that takes away all the fun. Aluminum can be reduced to an extremely fine dust in a ball mill, but you need fairly small particles to start with. This is what I'm trying to make.

And no, aluminum is not used in high explosives. They use single molecule compositions that decompose, not separate fuel-oxidizers. They're even easier to make with much more common chemicals than powdered aluminum. And no, I don't need a source of solidox. I can make potassium chlorate myself from salt water if I needed it.

I know experimental chemists have a bad reputation these days, but I'm not trying to hurt anyone, and I know my chemistry well. Oh, and I'm not a he.

[dertsap]

as for any assumtions that should have been a

a diamond stone or really fine file might do it depending upon how much you need , though it may take more time than its worth , the problem with grinding is you will probably get dust from the grinding wheel or disc mixed in with it

[Apples]

try getting aluminium foil, rip it up into small bits, throw it into an old blender with water in it. Then blend if for, well....hours.

Pour it all out onto some filer paper and you should get a bit of al, powder.

Aluminium will burn white, can be used to make some big bangs as well.

[Geof]

Funny how people jump to conclusions. I figured temp128 wanted to use it as an additive in concrete to make it expand during curing because that had been mentioned in another thread.

But I have a question regarding using very finely powdered aluminum for solid rocket propellant. As the particle size goes down the proportion of the mass of aluminum that is not available as a fuel because it is already an oxide layer on the particle goes up. There must be a crossover point somewhere that the benefit in increased rate of reaction is countered by the loss of reactive mass. Surely?

[temp128]

This is true to an extent, but the oxide layer of aluminum is only about 50 nanometres thick. So unless the thickness of a flake is under 200nm, there is more usable fuel than oxide. The smallest I've seen commercially is 2 micron, or 2000nm.

Even then, rockets in my case are more about the combustion speed than total energy output. Finely powdered aluminum flakes have an incredibly large surface area, allowing the reaction to propagate very quickly.

It seems not many have a good method of producing aluminum powder. I don't suppose anyone would happen to have some scrap magnesium chips/turnings they would like to part with? Due to the increased reactivity, you can get away with larger particle sizes.

[Kipper]

Ahh not a terrorist...Just a lunatic Sounds like fun! How small are the particles in Aluminium paint? Or even in Releaseal ( a product I use as a release agent in moulding? ) which seems to be liquid Al