Ferrocerium
Ferrocerio
- Date
- 1903 · confidence high
- Place
- Vienna, Austria
- Credited to
- Carl Auer von Welsbach
- Field
- Matter & energy
What it is
A pyrophoric mischmetal alloy (cerium, lanthanum, neodymium and traces of other rare earths, with iron) that produces very hot sparks when struck, patented by Carl Auer von Welsbach.
What it led to
- Flints for modern lighters
- Strikers for welding and cutting torches
- A common fire-starting element in survival kits
- Use in metallurgical deoxidisation