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Congreves were a predecessor of the Lucifer matches. The splints were dipped in sulphur and then tipped with the chlorate of potash paste, in which gum was substituted for sugar, and there was added a small quantity of antimony sulphide. The match was ignited by drawing it through a fold of sandpaper under pressure. The matches were banned in France and Germany on account of being dangerous.
 Research Congreves
Dutch Mordant is an acid used in etching for dissolving parts of the plate. Dutch Mordant comprises a solution of hydrochloric acid and potassium chlorate providing a clean and regular action which is preferred for fine, close work such as aquatint and soft-ground etching.
Research Dutch Mordant
Prometheans were the first safety matches. They were invented in 1805 by a French chemist named Chancel, and consisted of splints of cedar wood ripped with a past of chlorate of potash mixed with sugar. On dipping the match into a bottle containing asbestos wetted with sulphuric acid it burst into flame upon drawing it out. Prometheans were introduced into Britain following the Battle of Waterloo.
Research Prometheans
Safety matches are matches which can not be ignited by friction alone. In 1847 the Austrian chemist Schrotter discovered that red phosphorus gives off no fumes and is virtually inert; but being mixed with chlorate of potash under slight pressure explodes. In 1855 Bottger of Sweden put red phosphorus on the match box, and on the matches so that the matches could be ignited by rubbing or striking the match against the box, thus forming the forerunner of the modern safety match.
Research Safety Matches
The idea of detonating pellets or percussion caps was conceived by Forsyth, an Aberdeenshire clergyman in 1807, introduced in 1816 and adopted by the British government in 1839. They are small, hat-shaped cups filled with detonating powder such as fulminate of mercury with potassium chlorate.
Research Percussion Cap
Cheddite is any of a group of high explosives made from nitro compounds mixed with sodium or potassium chlorate.
Research Cheddite
Chiasma is the point at which paired homologous chromosomes remain in contact as they begin to separate during the first prophase of meiosis, forming a cross shape. A number of chiasmata can usually be identified and at these points crossing over occurs. Chlorine dioxide Chlorine dioxide is a yellowish-red explosive gas with the formula ClO2. It is soluble in cold water but decomposed by hot water to give chloric(VII) acid, chlorine, and oxygen. Because of its high reactivity, chlorine dioxide is best prepared by the reaction of sodium chlorate and moist oxalic acid at 90-100 degrees centigrade, as the product is then diluted by liberated carbon dioxide. Commercially the gas is produced by the reaction of sulphuric acid containing chloride ions with sulphur dioxide. Chlorine dioxide is widely used as a bleach in flour milling and in wood pulping and in water purification.
Research Chiasma
A chlorate is a salt formed by the reaction of chloric acid and metal. The chlorates are very analogous to the nitrates. They are well crystallized solids which give off oxygen when heated. They deflagrate with inflammable substances with such facility that an explosion is produced by slight causes. They are used in the preparation of oxygen in pyrotechnics and as oxidizing agents in dyeing and other processes.
Research Chlorate
The first lucifer matches, originated by Chancel in 1805, consisted of sticks tipped with a mixture of potassium chlorate and sugar, bound together by gum, and were fired by touching the tip upon concentrated sulphuric acid, which was carried separately in a bottle and soaked up in asbestos. These matches began to displace the tinder-box from about 1820, and they were the chief matches in vogue until the middle of the 19th century when their place was taken by friction matches.
Research Matches
Sodium chlorate is a colourless crystalline soluble compound used as a bleaching agent, weak antiseptic, and weedkiller. It has the formula NaClO3.
Research Sodium Chlorate
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The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
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