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Re: Better bottle caps
The Hindenburg programme was also recently aired in the UK. The problem was
due to the mixture of the iron oxide with the aluminium, this produces a
thermite mixture. It used to be used to weld tram tracks and the like. The
carrier dope would have had litlle effect, although it was actually highly
flammable itself (cellulose nitrate). Given a less flammable carrier
material like polyurethane, I think that aluminium would not be a serious
problem, probably no more so than Al foil. I plan to actually conduct some
tests in the next couple of weeks when I return to work next week. I do
agree that using it for glass caps is probably not a good idea due to the
lossiness of the glass. It has however suggested the possibility of using it
instead of Al tape on the styrofoam toroids that I use.
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2000 10:55 PM
Subject: Re: Better bottle caps
> Original Poster: "David Dean" <deano-at-corridor-dot-net>
>
> Hi all
>
> In a recent PBS program, don't recall the title, there was a story
> about why the Hindenburg really burned up. It seems the fabric
> covering the outside was doped with a mixture of powdered aluminum and
> iron oxide. In the same proportions used to fuel the solid fuel
> boosters on the space shuttle. The fire started by guess what...a
> static spark. I think more info can be had at www.pbs-dot-org .
> At any rate,
> Suppose someone were able to coat the inside and outside of glass
> bottles with some durable, conductive, nonflammable coating. Glass is
> still a lossy dielectric and will generate heat at TC frequencies. If
> the bottles were filled with water, and immersed in water, the water
> could help a lot to keep the glass cool. Remove the water and you have
> lost your coolant thus lowering your power levels, probably
> considerably. (I figure that the metallic coating would also be
> reflective helping the heat to stay trapped in the glass)
> Bottom line, you can't get something for nothing. Everything is a
> trade off.
>
> just MY $.02
> later
> deano
>
> > > If you mix aluminium powder with something inflammable like
> > >varnish...... isn't that getting towards rocket booster fuel ?
> > > Richard.
> >
> > Heh ;)
> > In my understanding, it's the solvent that's flammable, not the
> residual
> > leftover coating. Of course this *could* be why all the old plans
> caled for
> > shellack. Shellack is in alcohol, but after the alcohol evaporates,
> there's
> > no danger of ignition. I'd use polyurethane or epoxy thinned with
> acetone.
> > And I'd use so much powder that the carrier would be in so little
> amount
> > that it would have no other purpose than to bind the aluminum
> particles
> > together. It would look like aluminum syrup ;) And it's not like
> you'd have
> > to worry about flammability issues after the solvent is gone. The
> area
> > should be well-ventilated, and the usual safeguards should be used
> as when
> > using anything flammable. But after the coating is "dry", I don't
> think
> > there's any danger.
> > If I'm wrong, I need to know about it though ;)
> > Dan Kline
> > ntesla-at-ntesla.csd.sc.edu
> >
> >
>
>
>