[dero2]

I think most people here would know what a draino bomb is, so there's no need to go into details. I need to know the chemical reaction that is going on here. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks


Edited since we really don't need to be telling people how to blow stuff up.  -Jdurg

[jdurg]

Okay, now that the bomb-making part of the post has been corrected, I can help you out.    The reaction between the draino and the aluminum is simply sodium hydroxide reacting with aluminum metal.  This generates hydrogen gas and an elevated temperature.  In fact, the aluminum/NaOH reaction is what makes drain cleaners work.  It effervesces and the building gas pressure helps unclog pipes.  If that evolving gas is confined, then serious problems can happen.  

[limpet chicken]

Heh, I remember I used to set those things off as a bored kid looking for kicks, what I wondered is, what is the product name for the aluminium grey aluminium compound that forms when NaOH reacts with Al?

Sodium aluminate? NaAlO? and what can it be used for in a lab setting (I.E not blowing stuff up )

I thought simple NaOH was effective enough on its own as a drain cleaner, as all the NaOH sold OTC in the UK for cleaning is pure, anhydrous NaOH, with no aluminium whatsoever in it.

[jdurg]

Plain NaOH will work very well as it can eat through greases and a bunch of other crap thus making it water soluble.  Certain brands, however, claim 'extra cleansing power' and whatnot, and those generally have powdered aluminum or aluminum pellets which get mixed with the NaOH when you pour it down the clogged drain, thus making the hydrogen gas.