Calcium Carbide of Hebei Songshi

CAS NO. 75-20-7

Molecular formulaCaC2

SynonymCalcium acetylide

Toxicological information Calcium carbide 

Properties
Fresh calcium carbide is of a violet-red colour that appears blue-violet on the fracture, is a strong hygroscopic substance, is decomposed readily by atmospheric humidity and has a characteristic garlic-like odour. On contact with water or in damp surroundings, easily flammable gaseous acetylene is formed and explosive atmospheres can be produced.

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Application

Carbide lamps
Calcium carbide was used in carbide lamps, in which water drips on carbide and the formed acetylene is ignited. These lamps were of no use in coal mines where the presence of the explosive gas methane made them a serious hazard. The presence of explosive gases in coal mines led to the miner safety lamp. However carbide lamps were used extensively in slate, copper and tin mines, but most have now been replaced by electric lamps.
Carbide lamps are still used by some cavers exploring caves and other underground areas, though they are increasingly being replaced in this use by LED lights. They were also used extensively as head lights in early automobiles, though in this application they are also obsolete, having been replaced entirely by electric lamps.
Steelmaking

Calcium carbide is used

· in the desulfurisation 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 at ladle treatment facilities.