Ferrocerium: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Lighter flint spark trails.png|thumb|Spark trails from a cigarette lighter]] |
[[File:Lighter flint spark trails.png|thumb|Spark trails from a cigarette lighter]] |
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'''Ferrocerium''' (also known in Europe as '''Auermetall''') is a synthetic [[Pyrophoricity|pyrophoric]] [[alloy]] of [[mischmetal]] ([[cerium]], [[lanthanum]], [[neodymium]], other trace [[lanthanides]] and some iron – about 95% lanthanides and 5% iron) hardened by blending in oxides of [[iron oxide|iron]] and/or [[magnesium oxide|magnesium]]. When struck with a harder material, |
'''Ferrocerium''' (also known in Europe as '''Auermetall''') is a synthetic [[Pyrophoricity|pyrophoric]] [[alloy]] of [[mischmetal]] ([[cerium]], [[lanthanum]], [[neodymium]], other trace [[lanthanides]] and some iron – about 95% lanthanides and 5% iron) hardened by blending in oxides of [[iron oxide|iron]] and/or [[magnesium oxide|magnesium]]. When struck with a harder material, [[friction]] produces hot fragments that oxidize rapidly when exposed to the oxygen in the air, producing [[Spark (fire)|sparks]] that can reach temperatures of {{convert|3315|C|F|-1}}. The effect is due to the low ignition temperature of cerium, between {{convert|150|and|180|°C|°F}}. |
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Ferrocerium has many commercial applications, such as the ignition source for [[lighters]], strikers for [[Oxy-fuel welding and cutting|gas welding and cutting torches]], [[deoxidization]] in [[metallurgy]], and ferrocerium rods. Because of ferrocerium's ability to ignite in adverse conditions, rods of ferrocerium (also called '''ferro rods''', '''spark rods''', and '''flint-spark-lighters'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.outdoorlife.com/8-best-fire-starting-spark-rods-and-how-to-use-them/ |title=The Best Spark Rods (And How To Use Them) |last=MacWelch |first=Tim|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref>) are commonly used as an emergency [[firelighting]] device in [[survival kit]]s.<ref name=Ullmann>{{cite encyclopedia |last1 = Reinhardt |first1 = Klaus |first2 = Herwig |last2 = Winkler |year = 2000 |title = Cerium Mischmetal, Cerium Alloys, and Cerium Compounds |encyclopedia = [[Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry]] |doi = 10.1002/14356007.a06_139 |publisher = [[John Wiley & Sons]]|isbn = 3527306730 }}</ref> The ferrocerium is referred to as a "flint" in this case, as both are used in fire lighting. However, ferrocerium and [[natural flint]] have opposite mechanical operation. |
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== Discovery == |
== Discovery == |
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[[file:Flint spark lighter striking.jpg|thumb|A spark lighter in action]] |
[[file:Flint spark lighter striking.jpg|thumb|A spark lighter in action]] |
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Ferrocerium alloy was invented in 1903 by the Austrian chemist [[Carl Auer von Welsbach]]. It takes its name from its two primary components: [[iron]] (from {{ |
Ferrocerium alloy was invented in 1903 by the Austrian chemist [[Carl Auer von Welsbach]]. It takes its name from its two primary components: [[iron]] (from {{langx|la|ferrum}}), and the [[rare-earth element]] [[cerium]], which is the most prevalent of the [[lanthanides]] in the mixture. Except for the extra iron and [[magnesium oxide]]s added to harden it, the mixture is approximately the combination found naturally in [[mine tailings|tailings]] from [[thorium]] mining, which Auer von Welsbach was investigating.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = van Weert |first1 = Ad |last2 = van Weert |first2 = Alice |last3 = Bromet|first3 = Joop |year = 1995 |title = The Legend of the Lighter |place = New York, NY |publisher = [[Abbeville Press]] |page = 45 |isbn = 9781558598546}}</ref> The pyrophoric effect is dependent on the brittleness of the alloy and its low [[autoignition temperature]].<ref>{{cite journal |last = Hirch |first = Alcan |date = 2 September 1920 |title = Ferrocerium, its manufacture and uses |journal = Iron Age |volume = 106 |pages = 575–576 |publisher = [[Chilton Company]] |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=cyZKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA575 |via=Google Books}}</ref> |
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== Composition == |
== Composition == |
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[[Category:Ferroalloys]] |
[[Category:Ferroalloys]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Fire making]] |
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[[Category:Pyrophoric materials]] |
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Latest revision as of 09:09, 25 October 2024
Ferrocerium (also known in Europe as Auermetall) is a synthetic pyrophoric alloy of mischmetal (cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, other trace lanthanides and some iron – about 95% lanthanides and 5% iron) hardened by blending in oxides of iron and/or magnesium. When struck with a harder material, friction produces hot fragments that oxidize rapidly when exposed to the oxygen in the air, producing sparks that can reach temperatures of 3,315 °C (6,000 °F). The effect is due to the low ignition temperature of cerium, between 150 and 180 °C (302 and 356 °F).
Ferrocerium has many commercial applications, such as the ignition source for lighters, strikers for gas welding and cutting torches, deoxidization in metallurgy, and ferrocerium rods. Because of ferrocerium's ability to ignite in adverse conditions, rods of ferrocerium (also called ferro rods, spark rods, and flint-spark-lighters[1]) are commonly used as an emergency firelighting device in survival kits.[2] The ferrocerium is referred to as a "flint" in this case, as both are used in fire lighting. However, ferrocerium and natural flint have opposite mechanical operation.
Discovery
[edit]
Ferrocerium alloy was invented in 1903 by the Austrian chemist Carl Auer von Welsbach. It takes its name from its two primary components: iron (from Latin: ferrum), and the rare-earth element cerium, which is the most prevalent of the lanthanides in the mixture. Except for the extra iron and magnesium oxides added to harden it, the mixture is approximately the combination found naturally in tailings from thorium mining, which Auer von Welsbach was investigating.[3] The pyrophoric effect is dependent on the brittleness of the alloy and its low autoignition temperature.[4]
Composition
[edit]In Auer von Welsbach's first alloy, 30% iron (ferrum) was added to purified cerium, hence the name "ferro-cerium". Two subsequent Auermetalls were developed: the second also included lanthanum to produce brighter sparks, and the third added other heavy metals.
A modern ferrocerium firesteel product is composed of an alloy of rare-earth metals called mischmetal, containing approximately 20.8% iron, 41.8% cerium, about 4.4% each of praseodymium, neodymium, and magnesium, plus 24.2% lanthanum.[5] A variety of other components are added to modify the spark and processing characteristics.[2] Most contemporary flints are hardened with iron oxide and magnesium oxide.
Uses
[edit]
Ferrocerium is used in fire lighting in conjunction with steel, similarly to natural flint-and-steel, though ferrocerium takes on the opposite role to the traditional system; instead of a natural flint rock striking tiny iron particles from a firesteel, a steel striker (which may be in the form of hardened steel wheel) strikes particles of ferrocerium off of the "flint". This manual rubbing action creates a spark due to cerium's low ignition temperature between 150–180 °C (302–356 °F). Carbon steel works better than most other materials, in much the same way natural flint and firesteel are used.[citation needed]
It is most commonly used for Bunsen burners and oxyacetylene welding torches.[citation needed]
About 700 tons were produced in 2000.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ MacWelch, Tim. "The Best Spark Rods (And How To Use Them)". Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ a b Reinhardt, Klaus; Winkler, Herwig (2000). "Cerium Mischmetal, Cerium Alloys, and Cerium Compounds". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/14356007.a06_139. ISBN 3527306730.
- ^ van Weert, Ad; van Weert, Alice; Bromet, Joop (1995). The Legend of the Lighter. New York, NY: Abbeville Press. p. 45. ISBN 9781558598546.
- ^ Hirch, Alcan (2 September 1920). "Ferrocerium, its manufacture and uses". Iron Age. 106. Chilton Company: 575–576 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Ferrocerium rods". Jiangxi Metals Co., Ltd. 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2008 – via Alibaba.com.
External links
[edit]- Jorgenson, John D.; Corathers, Lisa A.; Gambogi, Joseph; Kuck, Peter H.; Magyar, Michael J.; Papp, John F.; Shedd, Kim B. (2006). "Minerals Yearbook 2006: Ferroalloys" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2009-04-24.