Safety Matches and Its Working

Safety matches are one of the most commonly used item around the world. In 1900’s the main ingredient in all the matches was the white phosphorus. The main drawback or the danger behind that was the phossy jaw which is a result of the active ingredient, white phosphorus.

In one pack of matchbox has enough quantity to kill a person. Frequent suicides and deaths by eating the match stick head became common. The invention of safety matches was the answer for all the questions. The strong oxidizing agent in the head of the match and the presence of red phosphorus in the striking surface generates a friction while striking and this produce a heat that causes them to ignite.

Basically in the safety matches the head of the match contains Potassium Chlorate, which is the main ingredient in safety matches. Additionally it contains Ammonium Phosphate which prevents the afterglow.

 When the match stick and the surface comes into contact while striking, produces a very small amount of white phosphorus which helps in igniting.