Powdered aluminum is used in the thermite reaction for welding metals, so what role does the powdered aluminum play in this reaction?
Thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of aluminium powder and a metal oxide which produces an aluminothermic reaction known as a thermite reaction. It is not explosive, but can create short bursts of extremely high temperatures focused on a very small target for a short period of time. **** The aluminium reduces the oxide of another metal, most commonly iron oxide, because aluminium is highly combustible: Fe2O3 + 2Al - 2Fe + Al2O3 + Heat The products are aluminium oxide, free elemental iron, and a large amount of heat. The reactants are commonly powdered and mixed with a binder to keep the material solid and prevent separation.
