Part 4/12:
Key Observations:
Microscopic Structure: The red and gray chips exhibit nanometer-wide platelet structures of iron oxide and aluminum flakes—identical to those used historically in protective paints, not in thermitic formulations.
Chemical Composition: The elemental analysis reveals iron, oxygen, aluminum, silicon, and carbon, consistent with commercially available anti-corrosion paints. The presence of silicon and carbon derives from siloxane binders (used in primer paints) and possibly environmental contamination, not explosive materials.
Magnetic Properties: The iron oxide particles are weakly ferro-magnetic, a trait aligned with iron oxide pigments rather than engineered energetic materials with unique magnetic signatures.