A bridge-type ignition element for initiating the ignition of pyrotechnical materials
lying above it by heating when an electric current is passed through it. The bridge-type
element is essentially made up of a resistance layer applied to a substrate, a
reactive layer, applied on top of that, made of especially an oxidizable metal
and a polymeric cover layer situated on top of that, whose material is selected
in such a way that it is able to react exothermally at an elevated temperature
with the oxidizable material of the reactive layer. The polymeric cover layer makes
possible not only a lower energy requirement but also achieves corrosion protection
from the surroundings and from the pyrotechnical material.