The reaction has a low ignition temperature of less than 200 C and is frequently used in "volcano" demonstrations.
For the combustion reaction to happen, you have to heat the fuel to its ignition temperature.
So how is the ignition temperature ever reached?
The ignition temperature of the alloy is elevated by 200-300K.
Sapless wood tried to sustain ignition temperature against the cold and snow.
This should explain why, as the molecules get larger, the ignition temperature gets higher.
Its ignition temperature is 488 degrees Fahrenheit, which is quite low.
Is there a catalyst to lower the ignition temperature of sugar?
The flame is not intended to melt the metal, but to bring it to its ignition temperature.
The only way is to use sand, which just adds heat capacity to cool the fire below the ignition temperature.