Question about Magnesium Flint bars.

[[digidude]]

How long do these last? I dont mean in terms of corrosion, I mean will the flint (the part that makes sparks) ever wear away completely? Just something I was wondering about...


-[digidude]

 

[skammer]

As it takes little to ignite the mag shavings the flint should outlast the magnesium several fold.

If you are using the flint only then it will wear down faster of course.

Skam

 

[[digidude]]

Ok thanks. :thumbup:



-[digidude]

 

[NorthStarXO]

I bought about 10 of them for my personal use back before Y2K. I've used up 2 and the flints still work fine but the magnesium is down to a nub. The rest are just fine sealed up. I don't think magnesium corrodes. I'll have to look that up.

 

[NorthStarXO]

A clean, unprotected magnesium alloy surface exposed to indoor or outdoor atmospheres free from salt spray will develop a gray film that protects the metal from corrosion while causing only negligible losses in mechanical properties. Chlorides, sulfates and foreign materials that hold moisture on the surface can promote corrosion and pitting of some alloys unless the metal is protected by properly applied coatings. The surface film that ordinarily forms on magnesium alloys exposed to the atmosphere gives limited protection from further attack.

http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/MatSelect/corrmagnesium.htm

 

[Burncycle]

Some people coat the whole deal with clear fingernail polish