In different threads, here or on the Campfire forum, questions have been asked about safety matches and strike anywhere matches.

Here's what I found on that subject :
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Safety matches :

1) The head mainly contains potassium chlorate (+ other chemical substances used as boosters or catalysts + glass powder) ;
2) The wooden rod (in France only poplar is used) is also chemicaly treated and the head end is dipped in paraffin wax., before receiving the head itself ;
3) The striking surface mainly consists of glass powder, red phosphorus and glue, to keep all that stuff together.

When you strike such a match on its striking surface, the rubbing, due to the abrasive powders, gives enough heat to start a reaction between now mixed potassium chlorate and red phosphorus. Which start the fire itself ??..
If you strike it on a piece of emery cloth, you wont get any reaction, due to missing
phosphorus


Strike anywhere matches :

The head contains both products. Scrating it on any hard surface gives enough heat to start reaction.
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