Certain metals, known as ferrous metals, spark when struck due to their iron content.
The most common are iron, steel, and alloys like ferrocerium.
When metal is struck, it can produce sparks due to a process called frictional heating. The impact generates heat, causing small particles to break off the metal surface. These particles react with oxygen in the air, leading to a brief combustion that manifests as a spark. The phenomenon is commonly observed in metal-on-metal contact, such as striking a hammer against an anvil.
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Here’s how the process works:
Iron is a pyrophoric substance that spontaneously catches fire at a relatively low temperature when exposed to air.
All steels contain iron (although some steels contain significantly more iron than others).
When you strike a piece of high-iron-level steel with something like the sharp edge of a knife or a piece of flint or quartz, it causes very small pieces of fresh unoxidized iron to “shower” into the air.
When exposed to the oxygen in the air these tiny pieces of iron quickly oxidize and catch fire, creating a “shower” of sparks.
This is the basic principle that makes ferro rods and Flint and Steel work, except that they also contain other metals.
For more information, see How are Ferro Rods Made or Is A Ferro Rod Better Than Flint?
- FERRO ROD FIRE STARTER – Includes a 3.15″(Length) X 5/16″(Diameter) ferro rod. Made of a high quality ferrocerium and magnesium blend, each fire rod can withstand over 20000 strikes at 5,500 F (3,000 C). Start fires in any weather (even wet), at any altitude.
- WITH LANYARD & MULTI-TOOL – Comes with a leather lanyard and a 6-In-1 multi-tools that function as a straight-edge striker, tinder scraper, map scale, ruler, hex wrench, and most importantly – a bottle opener.
- QUICK & EASY TINDER – 4 tinder ropes and 2 tinder tabs included. Wax-infused natural tinder is easy to ignite from the sparks of ferro rods and also has strong weather resistance, so you can safely start a fire whenever you need it!
- LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT – Fits easily in your pocket, backpack, and is the perfect fire starter kit for camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, EDC, emergencies and more.
- Quality Service – BCHARYA is a professional brand of Sports & Outdoors Survival Tools and we provide 24×7 after-sales support service to solve any of your worries, please feel free to contact us.
- Length of the rod: 6″(15.3cm). Diameter of the rod is approx 1/2″(12.7mm). 9ft Paracord included, gives you a good grip and never comes off. bayite new Striker-Pro striker included, always be prepared to start a fire
- bayite 6 Striking Edges Striker-Pro striker is made from TOOL GRADE HSS STEEL and has a distinct hardness, maximizes a shower of hot sparks, no matter whether you prefer to use your left hand or right hand to scrape.
- EXTRA LARGE. Super thick and large rod throws a MASSIVE shower of hot sparks to light fire instantly in any conditions. Windproof & weather resistant. Fits all weather
- You can also use the back of a blade from an box cutter. That’s the most efficient scraper that can be found easily. Don’t use bad quality Knife as striker. Otherwise it will not produce enough sparks due to insufficient hardness of blade.
- Provides up to 3000 degrees C spark in all weather, at any altitude. Durable, lasts for approximately 12,000 strikes. Perfect emergency fire starter for Bushcraft, Hiking, Hunting, Fishing, Camping, EDC, Emergency, BBQ, Gas Camp Stoves, etc
- 5ft Paracord included, gives you a good grip and never comes off. Comes with a bayite Striker-Pro striker attached to the paracord, always be prepared to start a fire
- bayite 6 Striking Edges Striker-Pro striker is made from TOOL GRADE HSS STEEL and has a distinct hardness, maximizes a shower of hot sparks, no matter whether you prefer to use your left hand or right hand to scrape. Don’t use bad quality Knife as striker. Otherwise it will not produce enough sparks due to insufficient hardness of blade
- Ferrocerium Rod Length:4″(10cm). Diameter: 3/8″(10mm). Large enough for a shower of sparks and small enough to carry
- Made of high effective ferrocerium rod. Waterproof & Weatherproof, fits all weather, works in any weather condition
- Sparks shower at 5,500 F (3,000 C) to ignite a fire in any weather (even wet), at any altitude. Perfect emergency fire starter for Bushcraft, Hiking, Hunting, Fishing, EDC, Emergency, BBQ, Gas Camp Stoves, etc
- HIGH QUALITY FERROCERIUM RODS: The fire steel rod is the perfect balance between softness & durability, consistently outperforming the leading fire starters. Will ignite a 5,500º F shower of sparks, light a fire instantly when you need.
- START FIRE ANYWHERE: This ultra-durable flint fire starter works in any weather conditions – rain, snow, high-altitude. With the rust-free ultra-strong ferro rod those fire lighters are suitable for camping, survival, bushcraft and other outdoor activities.
- EASILY GRIP: Ergonomic handles on the fire starter allow use by even the most frozen of fingers! This fire starter kit is easy to hold. Easy to produce showers of sparks.
- COMPACT & LIGHTWEIGHT: More reliable than matches or lighter, weighs less than 2 ounces, only 4″ long. Included is a strong 550 paracord lanyard that is long enough to carry around your neck.
- WHAT YOU GET: 2 5/16 Inch thick ferro rod, 2 multi-purpose steel striker, 2 23 inches long 7-core paracode lanyard.
- LIGHT A FIRE ANYWHERE INSTANTLY – Patented Survival Torch produces a shower of sparks guided directly to the wick so your fire ignites fast even in the wind and pouring rain. Start your fire regardless of what nature is throwing at you.
- ULTIMATE FIRE-STARTER TOOL – No need to buy a separate ferrocerium rod, striker, tinder wick, and bellow because this fire kit includes everything you need to create a safe, controlled fire.
- EASY TO USE FLINT FIRE STARTER – With the premium quality ferrocerium and unique curved striker directing sparks straight to the wick, you can ditch hard to hold and difficult to use ferro rods and easily make your fire.
- WILL NOT FAIL YOU – You get 3+ hours of continuous burn time or thousands of single-strike uses, and the fire starter tool is highly effective even if it’s been soaking in water.
- PREPARED FOR ANYTHING – You never know when you are going to be in an emergency especially in the wilderness so make sure to tuck this all-in-one survival fire starter tool into your bug out bag. Perfect for Bushcraft, Survival, Hiking, and Camping.
FAQs
Why does metal spark when struck?
Metal sparks when struck because striking steel with a harder substance releases extremely small iron particles into the air. These iron particles spontaneously ignite when exposed to the air, creating sparks.
What metals spark when struck?
Certain metals, known as ferrous metals, spark when struck due to their iron content. The most common are iron, steel, and alloys like ferrocerium.
What is the process that causes metal to spark when struck?
When you strike a piece of high-iron-level steel with something like the sharp edge of a knife or a piece of flint or quartz, it causes very small pieces of fresh unoxidized iron to shower into the air. When exposed to the oxygen in the air, these tiny pieces of iron quickly oxidize and catch fire, creating a shower of sparks.
How are sparks used in practical applications?
The principle of sparking is utilized in tools like ferro rods and Flint and Steel. These tools, when struck, create a shower of sparks that can be used to start a fire.
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