Calcium Carbide

CALCIUM CARBIDE

Calcium carbide is a chemical compound with several uses in industry. It is also called calcium acetylide. It is colorless in its pure form. Chiefly, it is the source of acetylene and other chemicals, whereas the carbides of silicon and several other elements are valued for their physical hardness and resistance to chemical attack even at a high temperature. It is an odorless solid. It has a rock-like structure at room temperature or monoclinic/tetragonal crystal form. It plays an integral role in carbide lamps. It has other valuable properties in combination with toughness, such as thermal expansion, electrical conductivity, and abrasiveness.

Calcium carbide is corrosive to the eyes, and respiratory tract. Inhalation of this substance may cause lung edema, but only after initial corrosive effects on the eyes. It reacts with moisture and water or decomposes in water to produce lime as well as flammable Acetylene gas. The heat of the reaction may ignite the Acetylene to some extent. Calcium carbide is not a volatile compound, cannot easily be evaporated.

USES AND APPLICATIONS FOR Calcium carbide

Calcium carbide has many applications:-

• First of all, it is commonly used in the artificially ripening of fruits worldwide.
• It is utilized in the pH modification of soil.
• It serves for acid neutralization.
• It is utilized in the removal of Sulphur from iron.
• Calcium cyanamide is prepared by the calcium carbide.
• As a deoxidizer it assists in the removal of oxygen during the manufacturer of steel.
• It serves in the production of acetylene and calcium hydroxide.
• Calcium carbide is used in toy cannons such as bamboo cannons.

 
Calcium carbide is a stable and inexpensive acetylene precursor. It is basic in nature having toxic properties. It is flammable but forms acetylene gas and reacts with water rapidly. It is prepared by the mixture of coke and lime at about 2.200°C in an electric furnace with graphite electrodes. This method is important in the industrial side.