The chemicals that make up the match head have a relatively low ignition temperature—roughly 360 degrees F. Sliding the head across the rough surface produced a temperature at least this high.
Once the match head ignited, combustion released even more heat. Because this heat was higher than the matchstick's ignition temperature, the fire is sustained. It then moved from the head to the cardboard stick.
Next, find out how combustion can lead to a Chain Reaction.
