Calcium Carbides
- CAS No.
- Chemical Name:
- Calcium Carbides
- Synonyms
- Calcium Carbides
- CBNumber:
- CB04865944
- Molecular Formula:
- Molecular Weight:
- 0
- MDL Number:
- MOL File:
- Mol file
Calcium Carbides Chemical Properties,Uses,Production
Description
Calcium carbide has the nominal formula of CaC2 and the molecular weight of 64.0992 g/mol. The pure material is colorless, but most samples have a color ranging from black to grayish-white, depending on the grade. Its density is 2.22 g/cc and it melts at 2160°C with a boiling point (under an inert atmosphere) of 2300°C, where it decomposes. Its main use industrially is in the production of acetylene and calcium cyanamide, CaCN2.
Uses
Calcium cyanamide is used as fertilizer.
in the “desulfurization” of iron (pig iron, cast iron and
steel).
? as a fuel in steelmaking to extend the scrap ratio to
liquid iron, depending on economics.
? as a powerful deoxidizer in steel at ladle treatment
facilities.
? was used in carbide lamps, in which water drips on
the carbide and the acetylene formed is ignited.
? in the ripening of fruit. Calcium carbide is used as
source of acetylene gas, which is a ripening agent.
? in toy cannons where the acetylene is set off by an
applied spark to create a loud “boom”.
? as floating, self-igniting naval flares for use as signals.
Preparation
Calcium carbide is produced industrially in an electric-arc furnace from a mixture of CaCO3 and coke (carbon) at approximately 2000°C.