On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 23:40:36 -0500, A Muzi <
[email protected]>
wrote:
> Aluminum won't burn
>on a grindwheel and in fact trying that may be unsafe as
>aluminum or brass can load up on the wheel and cause
>catastrophic failure. (pieces of stone flying out from 1760
>rpm). I have never seen that happen but it's mentioned in
>two machining texts.
Another hazard: If a bench grinder's wheel is used for both iron and
aluminum, a deposit of mixed metal dusts will be laid down in the area
of the tool rest. This mixed powder, when created intentionally, goes
by the name "thermite", and if ignited it can burn the shield off the
grinder in short order. Ignition can occur as a result of sparks
flying off the wheel when a piece of iron or steel is being ground.
I've seen that happen.
Thermite is nasty stuff. A soda can full of it placed on the hood of
a car and ignited will melt its way *through* the engine. When it
hits the oil pan, things get really interesting.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.