The history of the matchstick is very old. More than five thousand years ago small piece of pinewood dipped in sulphur were used as matchstick in ancient Egypt. The modern safety matchstick was developed
only about two hundred years ago.
A mixture of antimony trisulphide, potassium chloride and white phosphorus with some glue and starch was applied on head of friction. This started the combustion of the matchstick. However, white phosphorus proved to be dangerous both for the workers involved in manufacturing of matches and for the users.
These days the head of the safety match contains only antimony trisulphide and potassium chloride. The rubbing surface has powdered glass and a little red phosphorus (which is much less dangerous). When the match is struck against the rubbing surface, some red phosphorus. This immediately reacts with potassium chloride in the matchstick head to produce enough heat to ignite antimony trisulphide and start the combustion.
0 Comments