I was surprised the aluminum didn't oxidize/burn/combust when exposed to a naked flame that was hot enough to melt it in the presence of oxygen (air).
Isn't that why they typically use gasses like argon when welding (melting) aluminum, to block the oxygen and prevent it from just burning? I believe they also need to smelt it using a (reductive) electrolytic process for the same reason, instead of just heating it in the presence of carbon like they do with iron ore.
ok, fair enough.. my experience is limited to throwing aluminum cans into (hot) fires and burning aluminum foil with sparkler powder. I'll trust a boilermaker to know.
Ive had bonfires up north that burned for 2 or 3 days while clearing my land, white hot with beer cans in it and the beer cans do not melt, they just char and the lattice is weakened. So why dont the beer cans melt in these white hot fires but aluminum wheels did here? One fire is unmoving and the aluminum is engulfed for a couple days and the other by definition is transient. Doesnt make a lick of sense.
Thank you. Great video. (icymi)
Interesting - BURNING POINTS
GLASS 1,400 - 1,600 F - melting point
Aluminum 1,218 F - melting point
Asphalt 343 F - melting point
Cremation of a body 2,000 F - cremation
Wildfire/Forest fire 1,472 F - Average temperature
I was surprised the aluminum didn't oxidize/burn/combust when exposed to a naked flame that was hot enough to melt it in the presence of oxygen (air).
Isn't that why they typically use gasses like argon when welding (melting) aluminum, to block the oxygen and prevent it from just burning? I believe they also need to smelt it using a (reductive) electrolytic process for the same reason, instead of just heating it in the presence of carbon like they do with iron ore.
aluminum will melt like that.ive seen and done it. im a retired boilermaker
ok, fair enough.. my experience is limited to throwing aluminum cans into (hot) fires and burning aluminum foil with sparkler powder. I'll trust a boilermaker to know.
Ive had bonfires up north that burned for 2 or 3 days while clearing my land, white hot with beer cans in it and the beer cans do not melt, they just char and the lattice is weakened. So why dont the beer cans melt in these white hot fires but aluminum wheels did here? One fire is unmoving and the aluminum is engulfed for a couple days and the other by definition is transient. Doesnt make a lick of sense.
put some grinder dust on an aluminum can and melt it with a torch= thermite. fun times