pyrophoric

[ pahy-ruh-fawr-ik, -for- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

, Chemistry.

pyrophoric

/ ˌpaɪrəʊˈfɒrɪk /

(of a chemical) igniting spontaneously on contact with air
(of an alloy) producing sparks when struck or scraped
lighter flints are made of pyrophoric alloy

1780–90; < Greek pyrophór ( os ) fire-bearing ( pyro-, -phorous ) + -ic

C19: from New Latin pyrophorus, from Greek purophoros fire-bearing, from pur fire + pherein to bear

The residuum of the distillation is pyrophoric and frequently inflames spontaneously, on exposure to the air.

These two combustibles are in such a state of division, that the residuum is pyrophoric.

Ferrous oxide is obtained when ferric oxide is reduced in hydrogen at 300 as a black pyrophoric powder.

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