Mischmetal

Mischmetal is an alloy of rare-earth elements, chiefly cerium and lanthanum, with composition reflecting the minerals from which they are extracted. It is used in lighter flints, steelmaking, and other applications.

Cerium: Cerium is a reactive rare-earth metal and the most abundant lanthanide in Earth’s crust. It is usually the largest component of mischmetal and contributes to its ignition behavior.
Ferrocerium: Ferrocerium is a pyrophoric alloy that produces hot sparks when scraped. Mischmetal is a principal ingredient in many lighter-flint alloys sold as ferrocerium.
Rare-earth separation: Rare-earth separation is the chemical processing used to isolate individual rare-earth elements from mixtures. Mischmetal retains a mixed composition rather than separating its similar constituent elements.
Carl Auer von Welsbach: Carl Auer von Welsbach was an Austrian chemist and inventor who developed gas mantles and modern lighter flints. His work with rare-earth mixtures led to a practical mischmetal-based flint alloy.
Lanthanum: Lanthanum is a soft, reactive metal and the first element in the lanthanide series. It is a common major constituent, accompanying cerium in commercial mischmetal.
Cigarette lighter: A cigarette lighter is a portable device that produces a flame for igniting tobacco or other material. Its flint-wheel mechanism can scrape mischmetal-based material to generate sparks.
Oxidation: Oxidation is a chemical process involving electron loss, often accompanied by reaction with oxygen. Freshly abraded mischmetal reacts rapidly with oxygen, releasing heat and light.
Gas mantle: A gas mantle is a heat-resistant fabric sleeve that glows brightly when heated by a flame. Rare-earth mixtures used in mantle research also figured in the development of mischmetal.
Lanthanides: The lanthanides are the 15 metallic elements from lanthanum through lutetium. Mischmetal is a mixed-metal product drawn chiefly from this element series.
Steelmaking: Steelmaking is the industrial production of steel by refining iron and controlling its carbon content. Mischmetal additions can help remove sulfur and oxygen and modify inclusions in molten steel.

Linked from 7 pages