Page "Pyrophoricity" Paragraph 2

The creation of sparks from metals is based on the pyrophoricity of small metal particles, and pyrophoric alloys are made for this purpose.

This has certain uses: the sparking mechanisms in lighters and various toys, using ferrocerium ; starting fires without matches, using a firesteel ; the flintlock mechanism in firearms ; and spark-testing ferrous metals.

Nano materials are pyrophoric ( most of them.

) They have to be handled in vacuum.