Using physics to produce heat - need some ideas

[orangeglow]

Is there a material/metal that will safely react with another catalyst (fuel) material which will cause the material/metal to become very hot?

They should be:
- cheap materials
- safe and non-toxic (before and after reaction)
- controllable and long lasting reaction

Looking forward to some ideas :)

 

[Idoubt]

Can you tell us what your requirement is ?

 

[JDługosz]

Coal and ambient oxygen?

 

[Danger]

The question confuses me. A catalyst is not a fuel; it's an essentially inert participant in a chemical reaction. Ie: it comes out the same way that it went in. It might or might not take part in the reaction itself, but returns to its original state when finished. A fuel is in some way utilized in a different reaction that produces energy.
As for heat production, the catalytic converter in a car runs at an average of 500°F. That is without being consumed in the reaction.

 

[QuantumPion]

Yoink!