The tipping composition for " strike-anywhere " matches consists of red phosphorus with other ingredients as follow. (1) Phosphorus 1 part, chlorate of potash 8 parts, glue •1 parts, whiting 2 parts, powdered glass 8 parts, water 22 parts. (2) Phosphorus 2 parts, chlorate of potash 5 parts, glue 3 parts, red lead 1 1/2 parts, water 12 parts. Safety matcheshave no phosphorus on the tip, but it is contained in the rubber. For tipping safety matches, use (1) Chlorate of potash 1 part, glue 2 parts, sulphide of antimony 1 part, water 12 parts. (2) Chlorate of potash 4 parts, bichromate of potash U parts, red lead i parts, sulphide of antimony 3 parts, with sufficient glue and water to form a paste. The rubber on the box is treated with phosphorus 2 parts, powdered glass 1 part, mixed with sufficient glue solution to form a thin fluid while warm. Ued phosphorus varies in colour from red to brown; it is formed by heating the ordinary phosphorus to 240° C. or 250o C., either in a closed space or in an inert gas, such as nitrogen or carbonic acid. On heating the red modification to a temperature of 260 C. it changes back to the ordinary phosphorus.

Red phosphor us,when freed from the ordinary phosphorus, is non-poisonous, passing through the body unaltered; but red phosphorus is rarely, if ever, free from ordinary phosphorus, and hence cannot be said to be non-injurious. Red phosphorus does not take fire by simple friction like the yellow variety, but must be raised to a temperature of 240° C.