Calcium carbide, sometimes known as CaC2, is a chemical compound with the formula CaC2. Grayish white lumps appear to be present. Calcium carbide is also utilised in "Carbide Candles," which are miniature carbide lamps used to blacken rifle sights and minimise glare. Because of the sooty flame created by acetylene, these "candles" are used. Calcium acetylide, phenyl glyceryl ether diacetate, and glycerol phenyl ether diacetate are some of the other names for it.
In the organic synthesis industry, calcium carbide is a critical raw ingredient. When acetylene, chloroprene rubber, calcium cyanamide, acetate acid, trichloroethylene, and acetaldehyde are mixed with other materials, they can make acetylene, chloroprene rubber, calcium cyanamide, acetate acid, trichloroethylene, and acetaldehyde.
It can also be used as a desulfurizing agent in steel production, as well as for metal cutting and welding. Calcium carbide is used in floating, self-igniting naval signal flares alongside calcium phosphide. Under the Inflammable Substances Act, calcium carbide has been declared a flammable substance, and the Petroleum Act has been applied to it. When calcium carbide comes into touch with moisture, it produces acetylene gas, which has a greater explosive range.
Calcium carbide has the following industrial applications:
• It is used to make calcium hydroxide and acetylene.
• It is utilised in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) because acetylene, a calcium carbide derivative, can be employed as a raw material.
• Calcium cyanamide is made from it.
• It's used to get rid of sulphur in iron. Desulphurization is the process of removing sulphur from any material.
• Used as a ripening agent in the same way that ethylene is.
• It can be found in both bamboo and big-bang cannons.
• It's utilised as a deoxidizer, which means it aids in the removal of oxygen during steel production.
Calcium Carbide is a mineral that contains calcium. Because of its metallurgical and chemical applications in industries such as steel manufacturing, fertiliser, and metal fabrication, the market is expected to develop significantly from 2019 to 2025. Product derivatives are used downstream in the automobile, pharmaceutical, and plastics industries, which may help the sector develop. The finished product is a translucent, colourless inorganic substance made by heating lime and coke in an electric arc furnace. In the presence of trace moisture, the technical grade product emits an unpleasant garlic-like odour. It is utilised in metallurgical operations such as desulfurization and the removal of undesirable iron oxide. Because of its use in integrated steel mill desulfurization, the calcium carbide market is expected to expand further.
Due to its employment with calcium phosphide, which is utilised in floating and self-igniting naval flares for defensive countermeasures, illumination, and signalling, the calcium carbide market is expected to rise. Calcium flares are used for marine applications because they may be deployed underwater and illuminate submerged objects. By 2026, the global marine safety market is expected to exceed USD 35 billion, favouring market size.
Few Indian Major Players
1. D C M Shriram Ltd.
2. K P L International Ltd.
