Hans Goldschmidt obtains pure chromium by the…

Hans Goldschmidt obtains pure chromium by the aluminothermic reduction of chromium oxide.

His father, Theodor Goldschmidt, was the founder of the chemical company Chemische Fabrik Th. Goldschmidt, which will eventually become part of the modern company Degussa, and Hans and his brother Karl Hering manage this company for many years.

He is principally noted as the co-inventor of sodium amalgam and the initial patent holder of the thermite reaction.

The thermite (or aluminothermic) reaction is one in which aluminum metal is oxidized by an oxide of another metal, usually iron oxide, producing great heat in the process.

Goldschmidt was originally interested in producing very pure metals by avoiding the use of carbon in smelting, but he soon realizes the value in welding, a process known as thermic welding.

It is also used in incendiary devices.

This process is sometimes called the "Goldschmidt reaction" or "Goldschmidt process", because he had furthered its development and patented it in 1895.

He publishes an extensive paper on it in 1898.