History
The thermite reaction was discovered in 1893 by Hans Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt was a student of Robert Bunsen, the creator of the Bunsen Burner. Initially Golschmidt wanted to use the thermite reaction to create pure metals, instead of using carbon in that process, but he eventually found out about its uses in welding.
Uses
Thermite Reactions have many uses. From being used in government projects to military operations, thermite is an extremely useful tool. Thermite reactions are one of main ways to weld metal. Thermite is used to weld a variety of different things. Thermite is used to weld both thin and thick metals together, and a good example of that is when copper thermite is used to melt thick copper wires together for electrical connections. One of the main uses of thermite reaction is to weld rail tracks together. The reaction ca be used to cut or weld tracks together. Another use is its first intended use of purifying metals through their ores. Thermite also has militaristic uses. Thermite is used all over the military, from thermite grenades to incendiary bombs. Thermite bombs are used against infantry and small vehicles, while incendiary bombs were used to destroy entire cities during World War II. Thermite is also used to burn through thick metals, such as tanks and artillery. Thermite can also be used to burn through the thick metals of safes, locked doors, and bunkers.