I've been harvesting switch and relay contacts from washers, dryers and stoves. One thing I've noticed and found interesting is the oven thermostats.
The old mechanical type that have a bulb and capillary tube attached to the switch housing. When I harvest these I just remove the switches and take them home to bust open for the contacts.
So I usually cut the wires and cut the capillary tube as well. I noticed inside the bulb and tube is a silvery metal liquid. When this liquid comes in contact with water it erupts into flame.
Kinda like one would expect from elemental sodium, potassium or rubidium. It's a liquid at and below room temperature so maybe it's some kind of alloy?
Does anybody know what this liquid is and it's toxicity? Google didn't help me this time.
The old mechanical type that have a bulb and capillary tube attached to the switch housing. When I harvest these I just remove the switches and take them home to bust open for the contacts.
So I usually cut the wires and cut the capillary tube as well. I noticed inside the bulb and tube is a silvery metal liquid. When this liquid comes in contact with water it erupts into flame.
Kinda like one would expect from elemental sodium, potassium or rubidium. It's a liquid at and below room temperature so maybe it's some kind of alloy?
Does anybody know what this liquid is and it's toxicity? Google didn't help me this time.