THE CHEMISTRY

2024-2025

OF MATCHES
GROUP 3 CHEM-E
CAMANGON, JENISSE GEM
CELINDRO, ERICAH JANE
DOMINGO, BIANCA
GALLARDO, LANCE VINCENT
MAGO, KIAN
VITA, LORD EDUARD JAMES
 INTRODUCTION
The introduction of matches
changed the way we profoundly use
fire. With the ability for everyone
to instantly create fire and make it
portable, modern human civilization
changed in many ways. The
discovery of matches was a long
process filled with numerous
various designs that used vastly
different chemical ingredients and
modes of igniting the flames.
INTRODUCTION
However after the long period of
innovation, one match design
finally emerged as a winner.
“Safety match” was created by the
Swedish chemist Gustaf Erik Pasch
in first half of 1800s and
popularized by the industrialist
John Edvard Lundström in second
part of 19th century.
 INTRODUCTION

Gustaf Erik Pasch’s “safety match” was not

called “safe” for no reason. Before it arrived
on the worldwide market, the most popular
type of matches was Charles Sauria’s white
phosphorus match. Even though it was
produced in by the billions every year, this
match had few fatal flaws (white
phosphorus was toxic, and the matches had
tendency of self-inflammation due to slight
friction) that eventually forced them out of “SAFETY MATCH”
production. Safety matches moved to red BY
phosphorus that was located not on a match, GUSTAF ERIK PASCH
but on a dedicated striking surfaces.
COMPONENTS OF A MATCH
The match head contains a mixture of two chemicals,
phosphorus sesquisulfide P 4 S 3 and potassium
chlorate(v), KClO 3. When the match is struck, the heat
of friction is sufficient to ignite the phosphorus
sesquisulfide. The potassium chlorate(V) decomposes
to provide the oxygen needed for the combustion.
WHAT MAKES A MATCH LIGHT
The head of a match uses antimony trisulfide for fuel.
Potassium chlorate helps that4 fuel burn and is
basically the key to ignition, while ammonium
phosphate prevents the match from smoking too much
when it's extinguished. Wax helps the flame travel
down the matchstick and glue holds all the stuff
together. The dye-- well, that just makes it look
pretty. On the striking surface, there's powdered glass
for friction and red phosphorus to ignite the flame.
WHAT MAKES A MATCH LIGHT
Striking a match against the powdered glass on the
matchbox creates friction. The heat from this friction
converts the red phosphorus into white phosphorus.
That white phosphorus is extremely volatile and reacts
with oxygen in the air, causing it to ignite. All this heat
ignites the potassium chlorate, creating the flame you
see here.
WHAT MAKES A MATCH LIGHT
Oxidizers, like potassium chlorate, help fuels burn by
giving them more oxygen. This oxygen combines with
antimony trisulfide to produce a long-lasting flame so
you have enough time to light a candle. The whole thing
is coated with paraffin wax, which helps the flame
travel down the match. Just don't burn the house
down.
WHAT MAKES A MATCH LIGHT
As antimony oxidizes, sulfur oxides form, creating that
burnt-match scent. The smoke you're seeing is actually
tiny unburned particles resulting from an incomplete
combustion. Individually, they're a little bit too small
to see but grouped together, they form smoke. There's
also some water vapor in there.
 QUALITY CONTROL
The chemicals for each portion of the match head are
weighed and measured exactly to avoid any variation in the
match composition that might affect performance.
Operators constantly monitor the operation and visually
inspect the product at all stages of manufacture. In addition
to visual inspection and other normal quality control
procedures, match production requires strict attention to
safety. Considering that there may be more than one million
matches attached to the perforated belt at any time means
that the working environment must be kept free of all
sources of accidental ignition.
PROCEDURE OF CREATIG A MATCH
RAW MATERIALS
Straight-graineded wood, usually white pine or
aspen. Ammonium phosphate and Paraffin wax
for the treatment of wood.
Antimony trisulfide and potassium chlorate for
the match head.
Powdered glass and other inert materials for
better friction and burning rate.
Animal glue for binding ingredients. Zinc oxide for
coloring of the match head.
PROCEDURE OF CREATIG A MATCH
RAW MATERIALS
Sulfur, rosin, a small amount of paraffin wax,
and phosphorus sesquisulfide for the base of the
match.
Water-soluble dye for coloring the base.
The striking surface contains red phosphorus,
powdered glass, and an adhesives (gum arabic or
urea formaldehyde)
Cardboard for match boxes and match books.
PROCEDURE OF CREATIG A MATCH

1. Preparing of wood. Wood is cut, into small

matches, soaked in fire retardant ammonium
phosphate and left to dry. Striking end of the
stick is then soaked in hot paraffin wax, which
will provide small amount of fuel to the wood,
enabling it to burn more easily.
PROCEDURE OF CREATIG A MATCH
2. After matches are transferred to the
conveyor belt that is fileld with holes in which
sticks are inserted, then they are carried to the
tanks that contain two mix of chemicals. One
to serve as a base, and one as a finalized layer
of match head. Conveyors then move matches
away from the tanks, allowing them to get
dry.
PROCEDURE OF CREATIG A MATCH
2. After matches are transferred to the
conveyor belt that is fileld with holes in which
sticks are inserted, then they are carried to the
tanks that contain two mix of chemicals. One
to serve as a base, and one as a finalized layer
of match head. Conveyors then move matches
away from the tanks, allowing them to get
dry.
PROCEDURE OF CREATIG A MATCH
2. After matches are transferred to the conveyor
belt that is fileld with holes in which sticks are
inserted, then they are carried to the tanks that
contain two mix of chemicals. One to serve as a
base, and one as a finalized layer of match head.
Conveyors then move matches away from the
tanks, allowing them to get dry.
3. Packaging and storing.
 SAFETY
Be aware of the friction
•Hold the safety match with
and the resulting
your dominant hand. •Hold
chemical reaction cause
the match box in your non- Strike a match away from
those responsible for the the direction of the body.
dominant hand. •Swiftly
flame. The strike- When striking a match,
strike the head of the match
anywhere matches hold it an arm's length
against the side of the match
contain all the necessary box. Important: Strike in the away. Only use matches or
reactive chemicals on the direction away from your lighters when nothing else
tip of the wood stick. body, so the fire ignites and is distracting you.
Matches or lighters are
starts away from you, not
very dangerous around
towards you. flammable liquids such as
gasoline.