2146. Parlor or Congreve Matches

2146.    Parlor or Congreve Matches. Dissolve 16 parts gum-arabic in the least possible quantity of water, and mix with it 9 parts phosphorus in powder (see No. 2696 (Zinc White (oxide of zinc))); then add 14 parts nitre (saltpetre), and 16 parts of either vermilion (red sulphuret of mercury), or binoxide (black oxide) of manganese, and form the whole into a paste. Dip the matches into this paste, and then let them dry. "When quite dry they are to be dipped into a very dilute copal or lac varnish, and again dried; by- this means they are less likely to suffer from damp weather.

2147. Cheap Parlor Matches

2147. Cheap Parlor Matches. A cheaper paste for dipping may be made by soaking 6 parts glue for 24 hours in a little water, and liquefied by rubbing in a heated mortar; 4 parts phosphorus are next added at a heat not exceeding 150° Fahr.; then add 10 parts finely powdered saltpetre; and lastly 5 parts red lead and 2 parts smalts are mixed in, the whole being formed into a uniform paste. The matches are dipped, dried, varnished, and dried again, as before.

2148. To Make Matches Without Sulphur

2148.     To Make Matches Without Sulphur. To obviate the use of sulphur for igniting the wood of the match, the ends of the matches are first slightly charred by nibbing them against a red hot iron plate, and then dipped into as much white wax, melted in a suitable vessel, as will cover the bottom about 1/8 inch in depth. Or they may be dipped into camphorated spirit. Or into a solution of 1 ounce Venice turpentine and & ounce camphor, in 1/4 pint oil of turpentine, with a little gum-benzoin and cascarilla by way of perfume. After any of the above preparations the matches are ready for dipping in the phosphorus paste.

2149. Substitute for Lucifer Matches

2149.   Substitute for Lucifer Matches. The dangers arising from the universal adoption of the common lucifer match have induced chemists to seek a substitute for it. M. Peltzer has recently proposed a compound which is obtained in the shape of a violet powder, by mixing together equal volumes of solutions of sulphate of copper, one of which is supersaturated with ammonia, and the other with hyposulphite of soda. A mixture of chlorate of potash and the above powder will catch fire by percussion or rubbing; it burns like gunpowder, and leaves a black residue. M. Viederbold proposes a mixture of hyposulphite of lead, or baryta, or chlorate of potash, for matches without phosphorus. The only inconvenience of this compound is that it attracts moisture too easily.

2150. Mixtures for Matches

2150. Mixtures for Matches. For sulphur dips: Phosphorus, 3 parts; glue, 6 parts; sand, 1 part; incorporated below 100° Fahr., with 10 parts of water. Or, phosphorus, 5 parts; fine sand, 4 parts; red ochre, 1 part (or, ultramarine), 1/2 part; gum-arabic, 5 parts, in 6 pints of water (or, 4 parts of glue in 9 parts of water). For stearine dips: Phosphorus, 3 parts; brown oxide of lead, 2 parts; turpentine, 1/2 part, softened in 3 parts water. Instead of the brown oxide, 2 parts of red lead stirred up with 1/2 part of nitric acid may be used.