There are two main types of matches: safety matches and strike-anywhere matches. Safety matches contain potassium chlorate, phosphorus, and sulfur in the head, while strike-anywhere matches additionally contain tetraphosphorus sulfide. When struck, the chemicals in the match head react to produce heat and light through different chemical reactions. Specifically, safety matches react potassium chlorate with antimony sulfide or glass powder, while strike-anywhere matches react potassium chlorate with white or red phosphorus.

2. • There are two types of matches that we can
find out in the market: safety matches and the
“strike anywhere” matches.

3. Safety Matches
• Potassium chlorate +
phosphorus agent+ sulfur
agent
Strike-anywhere
Matches
• Potassium chlorate +
phosphorus agent+ sulfur
agent

4. • The red phosphorus is found at the side of the box
where the matches come in. On the side of the box
you will also find binder and powder glass.
• The potassium chlorate and sulfur are found at the
head of the match.

5. • The head of the “strike anywhere” match
contains potassium chlorate and
tetraphosphorus sulfide, glass and binder.

6. • Safety match chemical equation
– 3KClO3 + Sb2S3 ----> 3KCl + Sb2O3 + 3SO2.
• Strike anywhere match chemical equation
– 16KClO3 + 3P4S3 ----> 16KCl + 3P4O10 + 9SO2

8. http://youtu.be/gQVoRq3TPM8

9. • Mojamed, M. Nalla, S.P. Sicapirakasam, and M. Surianarayanan.
"Experimental Investigation on the Impact Sensitivity of a Match Head
Composition Influenced by the Surface Roughness of In-process Contact
Materials." Process Safety and Environmental Protection. XXX. (2012): n.
page. Web. 9 Apr. 2013.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095758201200095X
• "Match." Encyclopedia. Today's Science. Facts On File News Services, n.d.
Web. 9 April. 2013.http://www.2facts.com/article/xma065100a
• How does a match work?." Lansing State Journal. (1997): n. page. Web. 10
Apr. 2013.
http://www.pa.msu.edu/sciencet/ask_st/092596.html
• "Matches- Striking Chemistry at Your Fingertips."ChemMatters. Dec 2002:
14-16. Print

10. • Mojamed, M. Nalla, S.P. Sicapirakasam, and M. Surianarayanan.
"Experimental Investigation on the Impact Sensitivity of a Match Head
Composition Influenced by the Surface Roughness of In-process Contact
Materials." Process Safety and Environmental Protection. XXX. (2012): n.
page. Web. 9 Apr. 2013.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095758201200095X
• "Match." Encyclopedia. Today's Science. Facts On File News Services, n.d.
Web. 9 April. 2013.http://www.2facts.com/article/xma065100a
• How does a match work?." Lansing State Journal. (1997): n. page. Web. 10
Apr. 2013.
http://www.pa.msu.edu/sciencet/ask_st/092596.html
• "Matches- Striking Chemistry at Your Fingertips."ChemMatters. Dec 2002:
14-16. Print