Wiktionary
n. (context chemistry English) A mixture of a metal and a metal oxide capable of producing a thermite reaction, such as aluminium metal and ferric oxide; used in incendiary devices.
Wikipedia
Thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of metal powder fuel and metal oxide. When ignited by heat, thermite undergoes an exothermic reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction. Most varieties are not explosive but can create brief bursts of high temperature in a small area. Its form of action is similar to that of other fuel-oxidizer mixtures, such as black powder.
Thermites have diverse compositions. Fuels include aluminium, magnesium, titanium, zinc, silicon, and boron. Aluminium is common because of its high boiling point and low cost. Oxidizers include bismuth(III) oxide, boron(III) oxide, silicon(IV) oxide, chromium(III) oxide, manganese(IV) oxide, iron(III) oxide, iron(II,III) oxide, copper(II) oxide, and lead(II,IV) oxide.
The reaction is used for thermite welding, often used to join rail tracks. Thermites have also been used in metal refining, demolition of munitions, and in incendiary weapons. Some thermite-like mixtures are used as pyrotechnic initiators in fireworks.
Thermite is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Usage examples of "thermite".
A hundred yards the other side of that granite wall we set off the thermite bomb.
Foyle attacked each weld in turn with acids, drills, thermite, and refrigerants.
Less than two minutes until the fuses ignited the blocks of thermite sitting in puddles of water.
Sizzling pieces of thermite explosive flew out the door, melting holes through steel desks and leaded-glass monitor screens.
She could do things he could only dream of, like forming a shield strong enough to protect two people from a thermite detonation.
CCC-IRU 205, had always held the trump cards of being able to override his control of all their equipment, including the modifications to his own body, and of having sole control of the thermite charge in the base of his skull that would blow his head off if he attempted to surrender or to otherwise seriously disobey the orders of the Command.
The wizards of Prauncehis friends and teachers, and his compatriots nowhad removed the thermite from his skull, but the computer had detonated it before it could be safely disposed of.
It would probably respond by detonating the thermite charge in the base of her skull.
The override and the thermite charge would keep her in line once the computer made its decision.
The beads began to sink from sight into the silvery mixture before, reluctantly, the thermite caught fire and prospered.
Since thermite is hot enough to melt concrete there was a considerable quantity of smoke, which boiled above the starlike glare and crawled across the ceiling.
He did get a supply of thermite grenades which he proposed to use as bombs.
Copper, Norris and I placed a twenty-five-pound thermite bomb, wired it, and took the connector up the tunnel to the surface, where Blair had the steam tractor waiting.
The glare of the burning thermite threw jumping shadows around me as I walked down three flights to the one hundred twelfth floor.
After crawling out of the suit I had a great deal of pleasure watching it burn to a cinder under the heat of three thermite bombs, I particularly enjoyed kicking the resultant hissing slag into the lake.