[TheForge] Burning Metal

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

Simple answer is yes most metals will burn ,the trick is the same as 
with anything else.  Gasoline requires the right amount of oxygen to 
ignite, same with metals.    Take a match to a 1/2 round bar and it it 
won't even get very hot.  Take a match to extra fine steel wool and it 
will go up like a piece of paper.  People also say that you have 
"burned" the steel, when a highcarbon pice of steel has been left in the 
fire too long or a too high of a heat.  It isn't really burned in the 
normal sense, but the heat has driven the useful and desirable qualities 
from the steel.

Charles

The Millers wrote:

> Burning metal, is essentially oxidizing it. Ferrous alloys like steel 
> and iron will burn with an oxy-fuel torch fiarly easily.
> Obviously stainless and non-ferrous alloys are the exception. However, 
> you can use an oxidizing flux to cut stainless
> and non-ferrous alloys with an oxy-fuel torch. Still messy, still 
> better ways to do it, but it can work in a pinch.
>
> Ray Miller
> Cincinnati
>
>
> On Sunday, November 2, 2003, at 01:44 PM, DillonCo wrote:
>
>> I heard that one can burn metal, but I couldn't find much information 
>> on it
>> so I have a few questions:
>> What happens (molecularly) when metal is burned?
>> What metals can this happen to?
>>
>> Finally, on a slightly un-related note, how do most people tell when 
>> metal
>> is completely melted?  Do they use Thermocouples?
>>
>>