I have been putting old Brillo pads in recycling for years

Then I read you shouldn’t……. Also some plastics and paper gets diverted to landfills or burning , it’s getting to the point it’s easier to just throw everything away.

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wildbill83 · 41-45, M

they're also an easy source of iron oxide to make thermite... ya know, just in case you wanna build a campfire on the hood of your ex's car... 🤔

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@wildbill83 You need aluminium powder too, though, for "Thermite".....

I first heard of it as the fuel for a flame-cutter designed for melting through concrete.

I do know if you pass an electric current through steel-wool it does light up!

wildbill83 · 41-45, M

@ArishMell works better the finer the iron oxide & aluminum powder, easier to ignite with a bit of magnesium ribbon (can be used like a fuse/give a delay), still need a torch to ignite.

a fist sized amount will burn right through a good sized chunk of iron like an engine block

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@wildbill83 Ah - you have professional experience with the process? I know it's also used constructively, as in forming continuously-welded railway lines.