Thread: What would happen if I threw an unopened can of coke in to 400 gallons of molten aluminum?

I wouldn't ever do this but I was curious what would happen?
I just started a new job as a machinist at a die caster for aluminum engine parts manufacturer. At my company we have a furnace about the size of a bus filled with molten aluminum for casting of engine and transmission casings. The oven gets to about 1500 degrees. I was told my a safety coordinator that if I threw a full unopened can of soda in to the molten aluminum that it would destroy that half of the building like a bomb. I understand that their would be a dynamic and severe reaction to doing this but it's not like I'm splitting the atom here. I can see molten aluminum going EVERYWHERE....but I can't see it destroying an entire building. But I will give it the benefit of the doubt because I am no expert. What do you think? Have you ever heard of anything like this happening somewhere else???

the molten aluminum would burp.

The can will melt. Since the soda is under pressure, the can will pop and the liquid will burst out and then boil off.

The can would explode, molten aluminum would fly everywhere, and the prosecuting attorney would send you to prison for *decades*.

a litle steam.

The water in the can is less dense than the aluminum, it would rise up. At least until the can melted.

Then the water would super heat and splatter away similar to how grease flies out of the frying pan when you cook bacon.

Now if you poured molten aluminum into water, that makes a big nasty mess, and it is quite frightening too.

a woman will find out she is pregnant

You might create an animal with no eyelashes. Ughh.

i don't see anything major happening. but it could be a good Pepsi ad