Yellow crystals or powder. Decomposes in water with liberation of methane.
Aluminum carbide is used as an abrasive material for cutting tools. It is also used to reduce metal oxides and to prepare aluminum nitride and methane. It and also finds use in metallurgy. Further, it acts as a catalyst and a drying agent.
In generating methane; reducing metal oxides; in manufacture of aluminum nitride.
A yellow powder or crystals. Used to make other chemicals.
Decomposes slowly in presence of water or moist air to generate heat and flammable methane gas [Merck 12th ed. 1989]. Consequently a dangerous fire risk.
ALUMINUM CARBIDE is a reducing agent. May react vigorously with oxidizing materials. Incandescence on warming with lead dioxide or potassium permanganate, [Mellor, 1946, Vol. 5, 872].
Dangerous fire risk in contact with moisture.
Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.