Will making aluminum powder with a blender harm my blender?

I can't see good things coming from doing that. How about as an alternative buying a small coffee bean blender for like $15 as cheaper way to do it. Though I'm not sure it'll do the job you are trying to do .

If you want aluminum powder, why can't you find a cheap source for it instead? Is this for fireworks? If so, what do fireworks mfrs do ?

There is iron oxide in black powder. I don't think so.

My blender and coffee grinder have aluminum blades, which is a fairly soft metal. I'd image grinding metals would only serve to dull the blades.

I don't remember where i read this, i think it was Wikipedia that said iron oxide increases the rate of reaction in black powder. But most recipes i've seen say somewhere around 75% KNO3 15% Sulfur 10% charcoal.

Only place i could find it for a reasonable price is ebay, still more than i'm willing to spend even though it's only $10 a Lb. mainly im just using to see what happens when i mix it with black powder, might also make a small batch of thermite for fun (i know it burns really hot and probably will go through anything i put it on)

Yea, i was reading somewhere that a guy used his coffee blender to make it and it didn't really leave the blender in good shape...However i put it the blender first and then the coffee grinder and it seems to work pretty nicely, i just need to get it a little more fine.

If I was your mom, youd be grounded for about 3 months for something that stupid. I hope you werent gonna mix the powder in the blender.Gundpowder , when just at the right particle size, will deflagrate on impact. Remember, gunpowder can be set off with a hammer blow. BE careful kid (I know youre a kid because youre making all the dumb decisions I did when I was 10 and 11).
Course I never thought of using my moms blender.

Powdered aluminum is available through science companies and possibly through welding companies , where thermite ingredients are used periodically.

I made black power when I was very young and had ringing in my ears for a day or so as a result.

The book by B Piper call the Gun Power God gave me the idea and the formula.

My folks never found out as I set it off when they were not home.

I made some big ones with potassium chlorate and another critical ingredient. It was so explosive that I hadda mix it wet as a slurry. This kid is the same one who was asking how to make Zn and S rocket fuel a few weeks ago.
Today hes ******* with gunpowder.
AS we know, theres a secret step that engages the explosive power pf gunpowder and its best he not know any more.

thanks, FM for your input. I had hoped you'd add your expertise here. I see this all as very risky business. I'd hate to see someone lose a body part or worse. Could hurt of kill someone else, too.

Its not expertise, its your job to be an idiot when youre a kid. We all were immortal and stupid. This kid is no different than we were.
Im pissed that I hadda go wade into chem books and CRC tables to gatjer up stuff. Today its out there on the net. Theres even several sites that explain hopw to make a nuke.
"First get some weapons grade plutonium in a critical mass" (That usually stops the inquiry from going farther)

ALUMINUM POWDER

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Product Identification
Synonyms: Aluminum, aluminum metallic powder; CI 77000
CAS No.: 7429-90-5
Molecular Weight: 26.98
Chemical Formula: Al
Product Codes: 0446

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Composition/Information on Ingredients


Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous
--------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ---------

Aluminum Metal 7429-90-5 90 - 100% Yes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
WARNING! FLAMMABLE SOLID. DUST MAY FORM FLAMMABLE OR EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE WITH AIR, ESPECIALLY WHEN DAMP. HARMFUL IF INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. MAY AFFECT LUNGS. MAY CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION.

SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 2 - Moderate (Life)
Flammability Rating: 3 - Severe (Flammable)
Reactivity Rating: 3 - Severe (Water Reactive)
Contact Rating: 2 - Moderate
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES; CLASS D EXTINGUISHER
Storage Color Code: Red Stripe (Store Separately)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Inhalation:
Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath.
Ingestion:
Not considered toxic although aluminum chloride may form slowly in the digestive tract with nausea, vomiting, other gastrointestinal effects in extreme cases.
Skin Contact:
May cause irritation with redness and pain.
Eye Contact:
Causes irritation, redness, and pain.
Chronic Exposure:
Pulmonary fibrosis from chronic inhalation has been reported. Chronic exposure has also produced numbness in fingers and (in one case) brain effects.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.
Ingestion:
Give several glasses of water to drink to dilute. If large amounts were swallowed, get medical advice.
Skin Contact:
Wash exposed area with soap and water. Get medical advice if irritation develops.
Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Fire Fighting Measures
Fire:
Autoignition temperature: 760C (1400F)
Explosive limits not determined. Aluminum powder is flammable and can burn violently in the presence of oxidizing substances and certain metal oxides. Bulk powder, when moistened with water, spontaneously heats. Hazard increases as fineness increases. Reactions with strong acids and alkalis causes the release of flammable hydrogen gas.
Explosion:
Fine dust dispersed in air in sufficient concentrations, and in the presence of an ignition source is a potential dust explosion hazard. Minimum explosible concentration: 0.04 oz/ft3. An explosion occurred after mixing sodium hydrosulfite, aluminum powder, potassium carbonate and benzaldehyde. Sensitive to static discharge.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Smother with a suitable dry powder. Do not use water. Do not use halogenated extinguishing media. Pressure from the extinguishing media may cause severe dusting.
Special Information:
In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Accidental Release Measures
Remove all sources of ignition. Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8.

Spills: Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the air. Use non-sparking tools and equipment. Avoid contact with water. Pick up spill for recovery or disposal and place in a closed container.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Handling and Storage
Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage. Isolate from any source of heat or ignition. Protect from moisture. Avoid dust formation and control ignition sources. Employ grounding, venting and explosion relief provisions in accord with accepted engineering practices in any process capable of generating dust and/or static electricity. Empty only into inert or non-flammable atmosphere. Emptying contents into a non-inert atmosphere where flammable vapors may be present could cause a flash fire or explosion due to electrostatic discharge. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
-OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
15 mg/m3 (TWA) total dust and 5 mg/m3 (TWA)
respirable fraction for Aluminum metal as Al
-ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
10 mg/m3 (TWA) Aluminum metal dusts
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee exposures below the Airborne Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded and engineering controls are not feasible, a half facepiece particulate respirator (NIOSH type N95 or better filters) may be worn for up to ten times the exposure limit or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest.. A full-face piece particulate respirator (NIOSH type N100 filters) may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency, or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. If oil particles (e.g. lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerine, etc.) are present, use a NIOSH type R or P filter. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Skin Protection:
Wear protective gloves and clean body-covering clothing.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work area.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance:
Fine, free-flowing, silvery powder.
Odor:
Odorless.
Solubility:
Insoluble in water.
Density:
2.70
pH:
No information found.
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
0
Boiling Point:
2327C (4221F)
Melting Point:
660C (1220F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
No information found.
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
1 @ 1284C (2343F)
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage. Reacts with some acids and caustic solutions to produce hydrogen.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Toxic metal fumes may form when heated to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Mercury, halocarbons, halogens, water (with bulk aluminum powder) strong oxidizing agents, some acids, bases and many other materials. An explosion occurred after mixing sodium hydrosulfite, aluminum powder, potassium carbonate and benzaldehyde.
Conditions to Avoid:
Moisture, heat, flames, ignition sources and incompatibles.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11. Toxicological Information

No LD50/LC50 information found relating to normal routes of occupational exposure.

--------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
---NTP Carcinogen---
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
------------------------------------ ----- ----------- -------------
Aluminum Metal (7429-90-5) No No None


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate:
No information found.
Environmental Toxicity:
No information found.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13. Disposal Considerations
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an appropriate and approved waste facility. Although not a listed RCRA hazardous waste, this material may exhibit one or more characteristics of a hazardous waste and require appropriate analysis to determine specific disposal requirements. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14. Transport Information
Domestic (Land, D.O.T.)
-----------------------
Proper Shipping Name: ALUMINUM, POWDER UNCOATED, (NON-PYROPHORIC)
Hazard Class: 4.3
UN/NA: UN1396
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 500G

International (Water, I.M.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: ALUMINUM, POWDER UNCOATED, (NON-PYROPHORIC)
Hazard Class: 4.3
UN/NA: UN1396
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 500G

International (Air, I.C.A.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: ALUMINUM, POWDER UNCOATED, (NON-PYROPHORIC)
Hazard Class: 4.3
UN/NA: UN1396
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 500G


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15. Regulatory Information
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
Ingredient TSCA EC Japan Australia
----------------------------------------------- ---- --- ----- ---------
Aluminum Metal (7429-90-5) Yes Yes No Yes

--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
--Canada--
Ingredient Korea DSL NDSL Phil.
----------------------------------------------- ----- --- ---- -----
Aluminum Metal (7429-90-5) Yes Yes No Yes

--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
-SARA 302- ------SARA 313------
Ingredient RQ TPQ List Chemical Catg.
----------------------------------------- --- ----- ---- --------------
Aluminum Metal (7429-90-5) No No Yes No

--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
-RCRA- -TSCA-
Ingredient CERCLA 261.33 8(d)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------
Aluminum Metal (7429-90-5) No No No


Chemical Weapons Convention: No TSCA 12(b): No CDTA: No
SARA 311/312: Acute: Yes Chronic: Yes Fire: Yes Pressure: No
Reactivity: Yes (Pure / Solid)



Australian Hazchem Code: 4Y
Poison Schedule: None allocated.
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16. Other Information
NFPA Ratings: Health: 1 Flammability: 3 Reactivity: 1
Label Hazard Warning:
WARNING! FLAMMABLE SOLID. DUST MAY FORM FLAMMABLE OR EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE WITH AIR, ESPECIALLY WHEN DAMP. HARMFUL IF INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. MAY AFFECT LUNGS. MAY CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION.
Label Precautions:
Keep away from heat, sparks and flame.
Avoid breathing dust.
Keep container closed.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Do not contact with water.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Label First Aid:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention. In case of eye contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Call a physician. In case of skin contact, flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Call a physician if irritation develops.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
MSDS Section(s) changed since last revision of document include: 3.
Disclaimer:
************************************************************************************************
Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained herein in good faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary handling of the material by a properly trained person using this product. Individuals receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment in determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE PRODUCT TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS INFORMATION.
************************************************************************************************
Prepared by: Environmental Health & Safety
Phone Number: (314) 654-1600 (U.S.A.)

I used to love collecting Handbook of Chemistry & Physics versions and I am drawing a blank for the name of one of the standard Chemistry handbooks.

Would it be Lance or something like that name?

I remember it had great mathematic tables even better then the CRC tables.
.

The name was Lange and lord I remember how happy I was coming across it at a used bookstore as a child.

I guess you are far from a normal child when getting your hands on such a book was such a big deal to you.