>> ^RhesusMonk:
So, ahhh, that's just rust and aluminum? Like rust and aluminum? Like a rusty soda can? Somehow, this does not compute.


Iron (Fe) is less reactive than Aluminium (Al), so with enough starting energy, you can persuade Aluminium to steal the oxygen from rust, Iron Oxide (Fe2O3), to make Aluminium Oxide (Al203) and pure molten Iron. The equation is:

Fe2O3 + 2Al -> 2Fe + Al2O3 + Heat
Rust + Aluminium -> Iron + Aluminium Oxide + Heat

And yes, it's very easy to make some of this out of everyday materials - if you can find a way of finely powdering an Aluminium can or baseball bat and mixing it up with some powdered rust you have the ability to cut through Steel =)