Editing Phosphorus (section)

===Matches===
{{main|Match}}
[[File:Match striking surface.jpg|thumb|Match striking surface made of a mixture of red phosphorus, glue and ground glass. The glass powder is used to increase the friction.]]
Safety matches are very difficult to ignite on any surface other than a special striker strip. The strip contains non-toxic red phosphorus and the match head [[potassium chlorate]], an oxygen-releasing compound. When struck, small amounts of [[Abrasion (mechanical)|abrasion]] from match head and striker strip are mixed intimately to make a small quantity of [[Armstrong's mixture]], a very touch sensitive composition. The fine powder ignites immediately and provides the initial spark to set off the match head. Safety matches separate the two components of the ignition mixture until the match is struck. This is the key safety advantage as it prevents accidental ignition.{{r|Wiberg2001|Hardt2001}}