[UT] Plasma Torch vs. big metal door on a spaceship?

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

Remember that thermite is radiating heat in all directions, while a torch is directing the majority of its energy into a very small area. That's what makes it more efficient than just putting thermite on what you want to cut through.

It's a little bit more complicated than that. The "ash" from burning thermites is actually molten iron so the greatest damage from thermite is usually inflicted on the surface _below_ the burning mass.

Molten iron contains an enormous amount of energy by itself but when circumstances are right you get a layer of molten iron between the burning thermite and the surface below. That can transmit heat energy by conduction rather than radiation.

Your torch is having to work hard to be better at damaging materials than thermite.