Ferrocerium
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Ferrocerium is a synthetic pyrophoric alloy of mischmetal 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 remarkably low ignition temperature of cerium, between 150 and 180 °C.
A spark lighter in action
A Mora knife with a ferrocerium rod that can be stored in the handle
Fire making
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Fire making, fire lighting or fire craft is the process of artificially starting a fire. It requires completing the fire triangle, usually by heating tinder above its autoignition temperature.
Typical contents of a tinder box. From left to right: flint, fire striker, char cloth and piece of mushroom.
Maasai warrior lighting a fire, blowing on it to add oxygen that encourages the fire to spread
A fire plough (left), as opposed to a hand drill (right)
Firesteel and flint used in Dalarna, Sweden in 1916.