Hello,
I'm looking for the chemical mixter or something similar which is
currently applied to the side of the "Diamond Brand" match box found
in your local grocery store. This is where you strike the match. I'm
looking to apply this chemical to a cyclinder for a project (long
story). I have tried sand paper and it doesn't work. Is there a
chemical similar to it at a local Home Depot? Here is a little info:
http://www.diamondbrands.com/pages/match_facts/31.php


I did try Yahoo answers and a few hits came back with this:

The striking strip on a matchbox is 50% red phosphorus, 5%
neutralizer, 4% carbon black, 25% powdered glass for roughness, and
16% binder. Antimony trisulphide is sometimes also in the striking
strip.
http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/phys/phosphor.htm

Another site says:
The striking strip on the box is coated with red phosphorus, powdered
glass, and glue.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pertab/p.html

Is there a chemical that I can purchase over the counter similar to
this for the purpose of igniting amatch?
Thank you,
Brandon

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 07 Oct 2006 13:23 PDT

The chemical you want is red phosphorus. Since this is a chemical that
is commonly used in the manufacture of illegal methamphetamine, it is
regulated by law, and you can't just walk into Home Depot and buy it.

You can obtain powdered red phosphorus from chemical supply houses.
One such source sells 100 grams of powder for $143.59.

Would you like information on sources of this type?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 07 Oct 2006 13:32 PDT

Note also that if, instead of using "safety" matches, you choose
"strike anywhere" matches, your sandpaper idea should work fine.
"Safety" matches have deliberately separated the chemicals that cause
matches to ignite. "Strike anywhere" matches include all these
chemicals on the match head.

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Clarification of Question by bhandel76-ga on 08 Oct 2006 14:57 PDT

Thank you for getting back to me.

I have tried sand paper grits 320, 220, 150, 120, 80, and 60 with the
"strike anywhere" match. It is very, very difficult to get the match
to ignite. I can very lightly strike the match againts the box strip
and easly ignite it.

The purpose is to put the red phosphorus or sand paper inside a
cyclinder so when a spring loaded match holder extends verticaly in
the cyclinder, the match ignites. I have don loaded a picture to help
explain.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/bhandel/cyclinder.jpg

From the pic you can see two matches pressed against the wall (not to
scale). When the spring pushes up, if there were sand paper or red
phosphorus, it would ignite.
Any sugesstions? If I bought the red phosphorus, would i be able to
mix with glue and sand to make it stick?

Thank you,
Brandon

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Clarification of Question by bhandel76-ga on 09 Oct 2006 11:41 PDT

Yes, I'd like any additional info on Red Phosphorus.

One place where red phosphorus is offered for sale is Brainerd Chemical:

http://www.brainerdchemical.com/BrainerdChemical/Catalog_results.asp?search=phosphorus&Submit.x=50&Submit.y=10

Can this be mixed w/ glue and sand?

I really can't give advice on the use of red phosphorus. Perhaps
someone with a background in chemistry will be able to help.

Have you thought about alternatives to using matches?
Since I don't understand what you are trying to do, I can only suggest
that there may be an alternative:  electric matches, other ignition
methods.

This site has electric matches.  Have to scroll down a ways:
http://www.skylighter.com/mall/ignition.asp

Red Phosphours is not expecially toxic, but as theirs a purer form
known as white phosphorus which is very fllamble, toxic and irritant.

I suggest looking at Red Phosphorus's safety sheet
http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/PH/phosphorus_red.html

Before doing anything.

Once you've read and cared for the dnagers of it, you can either go buy it at;

www.kno3.com

You may need to contact private individuals who sell it. Be warned,
they often ask for a license.