When liquid mercury meets aluminum an interesting reaction occurs, one that could be catastrophic aboard an airplane. Put simply, it forms an amalgam (a mercury alloy) that disrupts the aluminum’s thick oxide layer.
This disruption allows the fresh aluminum to react with air, thus forming a white aluminum oxide. The mercury would tear through the aluminum until the former evaporates into the air, and so just a drop can cause a huge amount of damage. Today, even the transportation and packaging of mercury-containing thermometers and barometers is severely restricted, or at least on commercial flights. However, TSA does allow for one small medical or clinical mercury thermometer for personal use when carried inside a protective case in checked baggage.
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