I can verify the aluminum/mercury connection in regards to rapid oxidation.
I've played with mercury containing substances, and how they encourage rapid aluminum oxidation. So rapid, in fact, that aluminum (at least thin sheets of it) heat up beyond the boiling point of water. I have also noted that water seems to fuel the reaction - I suspect by providing a readily available source of oxygen.
Reactions I've seen require VERY, VERY little mercury. Just a little mercury = big result. Looking at the Frostytech article (which I suspect involved a very large amount of mercury) it's no wonder the aluminum almost disappeared.
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