Exothermic Fuse Wire
Journal Archive
Platinum Metals Rev., 1960,
4, (3), 85
Exothermic Fuse Wire
Based upon the exothermic reaction that takes place between aluminium or magnesium and platinum or palladium after a critical temperature has been reached, an interesting new product has been developed by the Sigmund Cohn Corporation of Mount Vernon, New York. This comprises a composite wire having a core of aluminium with a sheath of palladium. The wire is strong and ductile, but when heated to about 650°C by the passage of a current it ignites with explosive violence and reaches a temperature of about 2000°C. A similar product is also available in the form of laminated sheet. Applications are expected to develop in the field of detonating devices.