‘Misch metal’ is widely used in the manufacture of which of the following ?

Misch metal is a rare-earth alloy primarily composed of cerium (approximately 50%), lanthanum (25%), and smaller amounts of neodymium and praseodymium [t2][t6]. It is produced from rare-earth minerals like monazite and bastnasite [t5][t7]. One of its most prominent and widespread commercial applications is in the manufacture of 'flints' for cigarette lighters [t5][t6]. When misch metal is alloyed with iron (forming ferrocerium), it becomes highly pyrophoric, meaning it produces hot sparks when struck or scratched against a hard surface [t1][t2]. This property makes it the ideal spark-producing agent for lighters and similar ignition devices [t6]. While it also finds use as a deoxidizer in steelmaking and in the production of ductile iron, its role in cigarette lighters is its most characteristic everyday application [t6][t8].

Sources

1. [1] https://www.britannica.com/technology/misch-metal