anyone know a reaction with aluminum foils that can be done with common household chemicals to yield powdered aluminum?

powdered aluminum is made by crushing aluminum to (powdered)dust.

 

Not by a chemical reaction!!

stick some aluminum foil in a ball mill. And come back in a few weeks.

I've tried it. It's about impossible to do by chemical means. Aluminum is just too reactive...

perhaps you could try thermal decomposition of the tartarate salt?

perhaps you could try thermal decomposition of the tartarate salt?

 

If that works it would likely result in really, disturbingly fine powder.

If that works it would likely result in really, disturbingly fine powder.

No, it does not work. You'll end up with aluminium oxide.

it works with lead tartarate. you end up with nanodust. could you explain how the Al oxide is formed?

Aluminum is a HELLUVA lot more reactive than lead is. As a result, the particles are so fine that they immediately react with oxygen and you form aluminum oxide instead of aluminum metal. Lead metal is non-reactive enough where the lead metal that's formed won't oxidize immediately.

Aluminum is a HELLUVA lot more reactive than lead is. As a result, the particles are so fine that they immediately react with oxygen and you form aluminum oxide instead of aluminum metal. Lead metal is non-reactive enough where the lead metal that's formed won't oxidize immediately.

Given this explanation, you could try in vacuum or in an inert atmosphere, where there is no oxygen.

 

I think it is even stronger. Even in an inert environment, I expect that aluminium oxide is formed. The tartrate ion contains quite some oxygen and because of the strong electropositive nature of aluminium I expect that the oxygen will bind to the aluminium, as soon as the tartrate decomposes. A similar difference can befound between HgC2O4 and MgC2O4 (mercury and magnesium oxalate). On heating, the Hg-salt gives CO2 and metallic Hg, the Mg-salt (and also the Ca-salt) gives CO, CO2 and MgO or CaO, even in an inert atmosphere.

How fine of a powder would a ball mill yield?

i thought you were going to bring up atmospheric oxidation, which would occur especially at the temperatures required for thermal decomposition. in an inert atmosphere, however, i really dont think there would be oxidation, but hey, it's my word vs yours. if you want to experiment, go for it

Thing is, can this guy provide an inert atmosphere for your method to work?

i've a budget o f $15

In that case, you'd be best off going to a paint store and buying the bottles of powdered aluminum that many of them carry. (Actually, I should have said 'art' store instead of paint store).

i've a budget o f $15

lol...

 

 

 

@Jdurg Thanks! I'll try that. Would like. Pat Catans be good? What's a store I could use?

"Thing is, can this guy provide an inert atmosphere for your method to work?"

yes, if he wishes to buy a tank of argon, CO2, helium, or whatev

CO2? meaning i can just get a flask and breath in my nose and exhale some CO2 into the flask? XD

Your breath still contains a whole lotta leftover oxygen which your lungs couldn't absorb. Wouldn't be a great idea to do that. Try using a helium baloon. It does contain some noble gases.

 

Just what are you going to do with this powder?

lol i was kidding

 

but anyways, well lots of things ; )

"Try using a helium baloon. It does contain some noble gases."

namely helium

Some of those helium tanks, however, have a bit of oxygen put in there due to the fact that people like to breathe in helium to alter their voice, but forget that they're displacing oxygen at the same time. So some helium tank fillers put a bit of oxygen in there so people won't pass-out from inhaling a balloon.

I must have a really good tank here then, a few breathe of that and you`re on yer back!

as for buying the alu powder from an art shop, Some (not all) add a coating of oil on the alu powder, it stops oxidation, you need to add lighter petrol to this (enough to cover it) stir well and then filter it OUTSIDE!

you`ll still have a very Tiny coating, but alot less than before. the petrol evaporates leaving the trace.

Is it even possible to prepare powdered aluminum in a ball mill? What grinding media would you have to use?

it is, and takes ages!

 

I used quartz stones (yes I collected them off a mates gravel driveway)