Ferrocerium
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Ferrocerium is a synthetic pyrophoric alloy that produces hot sparks that can reach temperatures of 3,000 °C when rapidly oxidized by the process of striking, property which allows it to have many commercial applications, most common being ignition source for lighters (where it is often known by the misleading name "flint").
Contents
Composition
The original alloy consists of 70% cerium and 30% iron.
The standard modern ferrocerium consists of iron (20.8%), cerium (41.8%), neodymium (4.4%), praseodymium(4.4%), magnesium (4.4%) and lanthanum (24.2%).
Availability
Ferrocerium can be bought as ferrocerium rods (also called ferro rods, flint-spark-lighters) from many camping stores.
Due to ferrocerium's ability to ignite in adverse conditions, rods of ferrocerium are commonly used as an emergency combustion device in survival kits.
Projects
- Make fire
- Synthesize cerium compounds
Safety and handling
Striking or scratching ferrocerium with a hard item will result in very hot sparks which may ignite flammable materials, which poses a serious fire hazard.
