Editing Thermite (section)

=== Copper thermite ===
Copper thermite can be prepared using either [[copper(I) oxide]] (Cu<sub>2</sub>O, red) or [[copper(II) oxide]] (CuO, black). The burn rate tends to be very fast and the melting point of copper is relatively low, so the reaction produces a significant amount of molten copper in a very short time. Copper(II) thermite reactions can be so fast that it can be considered a type of [[flash powder]]. An explosion can occur, which sends a spray of copper drops to considerable distances.<ref name="pyroguide">{{cite web |url=http://www.pyroguide.com/index.php?title=Thermite |title=Thermite |publisher=PyroGuide |date=3 March 2011 |access-date=6 December 2011 |archive-date=6 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406224436/http://www.pyroguide.com/index.php?title=Thermite |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Oxygen-balanced mixture has theoretical maximum density of 5.109&nbsp;g/cm<sup>3</sup>, adiabatic flame temperature 2843 K (phase transitions included) with the aluminum oxide being molten and copper in both liquid and gaseous form; 343&nbsp;g of copper vapor per kg of this thermite are produced. The energy content is 974 cal/g.<ref name="osti.gov"/>

Copper(I) thermite has industrial uses in e.g., welding of thick copper conductors ([[cadwelding]]). This kind of welding is being evaluated also for cable splicing on the US Navy fleet, for use in high-current systems, e.g., electric propulsion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hts.asminternational.org/portal/site/hts/NewsItem/?vgnextoid=a7879c63e1681310VgnVCM100000621e010aRCRD |title=HTS > News Item |publisher=Hts.asminternational.org |date=1 August 2011 |access-date=6 December 2011}}</ref>
Oxygen-balanced mixture has theoretical maximum density of 5.280&nbsp;g/cm<sup>3</sup>, adiabatic flame temperature 2843&nbsp;K (phase transitions included) with the aluminum oxide being molten and copper in both liquid and gaseous form; 77.6&nbsp;g of copper vapor per kg of this thermite are produced. The energy content is 575.5&nbsp;cal/g.<ref name="osti.gov"/>