Ferrocerium, sometimes spelled ferro-cerium, is a compound material used in many outdoor survival kits as a fire starter. The pronunciation of the word is [fer-oh-seer-ee-uhm], with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced like the word "fur" without the "r" sound. The second syllable starts with the "s" sound and is followed by "eer" and "ee-uhm." The spelling of ferrocerium is a combination of the Latin words ferrum and cerium, which mean iron and cerium, respectively.
Ferrocerium is a compound used in the construction of fire-starting tools such as flint strikers and firesteel rods. It is a synthetic alloy primarily composed of iron (Fe) and cerium (Ce), along with other rare earth metals such as lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), and praseodymium (Pr).
The name "ferrocerium" comes from the Latin words "ferrum" meaning iron and "cerium" after the element cerium. The compound is highly reactive and has excellent pyrophoric properties, which means it can ignite at relatively low temperatures when struck by a sharp object, creating a shower of sparks.
Ferrocerium is often used as an alternative to traditional flint and steel for fire starting due to its ease of use and reliability. To ignite a fire using ferrocerium, a piece of the alloy is scraped against a rough surface, causing a shower of hot metallic particles to light a fuel source. This technique is particularly popular among outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and campers.
Ferrocerium is highly valued for its durability and long shelf life. It is resistant to corrosion and moisture, making it an ideal tool for emergency situations where fire is vital for survival. Additionally, ferrocerium can be easily molded and shaped into various sizes and forms, making it versatile and suitable for a range of fire-starting applications.
The word ferrocerium is composed of two elements: ferro and cerium.
- Ferro comes from the Latin word ferrum, which means iron. In this context, ferro refers to the iron content found in ferrocerium.
- Cerium is the name of a chemical element, which is derived from the Greek word keras, meaning horn. Cerium was discovered in 1803 and named after the newly discovered asteroid Ceres, which itself was named after the Roman goddess of agriculture.
Thus, the word ferrocerium is a combination of ferro (iron) and cerium (the chemical element), reflecting the composition of the material used in the creation of ferrocerium or ferro rods.