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.
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.
Calcium carbide is produced industrially
in an electric-arc furnace from a mixture of CaCO3 and coke (carbon) at approximately 2000°C.
