III.—M. O. Lindner, of Paris, has patented a match which may be lighted by friction upon any surface whatever, and which possesses the advantages of being free from danger and of emitting no unpleasant odor. The mixture into which the splints are first dipped consists of
| Chlorate of potash | 6 parts |
| Sulphide of antimony | 2 parts |
| Gum | 1 1/2 parts |
| Powdered clay | 1 1/2 parts |
The inflammable compound consists of
| Chlorate of potash | 2 to 3 parts |
| Amorphous phosphorus | 6 parts |
| Gum | 1 1/2 parts |
| Aniline | 1 1/2 parts |
Red or amorphous is substituted for yellow phosphorus in the match heads. The composition of the igniting paste is given as follows:
| By weight | |
|---|---|
| Soaked glue (1 to 5 of water) | 37.0 parts |
| Powdered glass | 7.5 parts |
| Whiting | 7.5 parts |
| Amorphous phosphorus (pure) | 10.0 parts |
| Paraffine wax | 4.0 parts |
| Chlorate of potash | 27.0 parts |
| Sugar or lampblack | 7.0 parts |
Silicate of soda may be substituted for the glue, bichromate of potash added for damp climates, and sulphur for large matches.
The different compositions for tipping the matches in use in different countries and factories all consist essentially of emulsions of phosphorus in a solution of glue or gum, with or without other matters for increasing the combustibility, for coloring, etc.
I.—English.—Fine glue, 2 parts, broken into small pieces, and soaked in water till quite soft, is added to water, 4 parts, and heated by means of a water bath until it is quite fluid, and at a temperature of 200° to 212° F. The vessel is then removed from the fire, and phosphorus, 1 1/2 to 2 parts, is gradually added, the mixture being agitated briskly and continually with a stirrer having wooden pegs or bristles projecting at its lower end. When a uniform emulsion is obtained, chlorate of potassa, 4 to 5 {467} parts; powdered glass, 3 to 4 parts; and red lead, smalt, or other coloring matter, a sufficient quantity (all in a state of very fine powder), are added, one at a time, to prevent accidents, and the stirring continued until the mixture is comparatively cool. The above proportions are those of the best quality of English composition. The matches tipped with it deflagrate with a snapping noise.
II.—German (Böttger).—Dissolve gum arabic, 16 parts, in the least possible quantity of water; add of phosphorus (in powder), 9 parts, and mix by trituration. Then add niter, 14 parts; vermilion or binoxide of manganese, 16 parts, and form the whole into a paste as directed above. Into this the matches are to be dipped, and then exposed to dry. As soon as they are quite dry they are to be dipped into very dilute copal varnish or lac varnish, and again exposed to dry, by which means they are rendered waterproof, or at least less likely to suffer from exposure in damp weather.