Calcium Carbide

Description

1. Product Overview

Calcium Carbide is a high-purity chemical compound (CaC₂) engineered for critical industrial reactions, primarily the generation of acetylene gas for metal cutting, welding, and chemical synthesis. Its primary industrial use lies in steelmaking, acetylene production, and as a desulfurizing agent in iron foundries. The key value proposition is its unmatched efficiency in producing controlled, high-yield acetylene gas while enabling cost-effective slag modification in metallurgy. Strategically, it remains indispensable for global supply chains dependent on oxy-acetylene welding, calcium cyanamide fertilizers, and secondary steel refining.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical Composition: Calcium Carbide (CaC₂) ≥ 80% – 85% (industrial grade); trace elements: CaO, MgO, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, C free

• Purity Level / Grade:

  • Standard: 80–85% (volumetric gas yield: 255–285 L/kg)

  • Premium: ≥ 100 L/kg (ISO/R 901-1968 standard available)

• Physical Characteristics:

  • Form: Solid, crystalline lumps

  • Color: Grey to dark grey (steel grey)

  • Particle size: 4–15 mm, 7–15 mm, 15–25 mm, 25–50 mm, 50–80 mm (custom sieved)

  • Bulk density: ~1,200 – 1,400 kg/m³

  • Gas yield: 285 ± 5 L/kg (at 20°C, 760 mmHg)

• Packaging Options:

  • 50 kg or 100 kg new steel drums (UN-certified)

  • 1,000 kg bulk bags (FIBC)

  • Nitrogen-sealed, gas-tight containers for moisture protection

  • Palletized shrink-wrapped units

• Shelf Life: 12 months if stored in dry, well-ventilated area (<50% relative humidity, temperature 0–35°C)

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industries: Steel manufacturing, shipbuilding, chemical synthesis, non-ferrous metal recycling, construction, mining explosives

• Operational use cases:

  • Acetylene gas generation – For oxy-acetylene cutting, welding, and flame hardening.

  • Steel desulfurization – As a slag modifier in ladle metallurgy (reduces S content <0.005%).

  • Calcium cyanamide production – Intermediate for fertilizers and pesticide synthesis.

  • Carbide lamps – Emergency and mining lighting (legacy, but still relevant in remote sites).

• Performance advantage: Produces higher gas pressure stability per kg vs. alternative acetylene sources; faster desulfurization kinetics than lime or magnesium powder; lowers total oxygen and inclusion counts in molten steel.

• Cost advantage: Up to 18% lower per-unit acetylene generation cost compared to dissolved acetylene cylinders in continuous high-volume operations.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: ISO 9001:2025-certified plants with batch-level gas yield certificates and moisture content ≤0.5% guaranteed.

• Supply reliability: Dedicated production lines with 12+ months of proven export history to SE Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Warehousing available in Rotterdam, Shanghai, and Houston.

• Logistics capability: Hazardous-class 4.3 (Dangerous when wet) management – full IMDG/ADR compliance, real-time tracking, and temperature/humidity monitoring during transit.

• Price competitiveness: Direct from manufacturer with no intermediaries. Contract pricing available for 12–24 month fixed-volume agreements.

• Sustainability & environmental: Closed-loop gas capture during production; phosphine and arsine levels kept below 0.05% for safer residue handling.

• Technical support: MSDS, batch COA, UN packing certificate, and on-call metallurgical process engineering consultation included for first 2 shipments.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Bulk 20 metric tons (20 MT) – equivalent to one full standard 20-ft dry container volume (approximately 19–21 net MT per 20′ DV)

• Loading capacity per container:

  • 20-ft standard dry container: up to 21 MT (depending on drum/bag arrangement)

  • 40-ft standard dry container: up to 25 MT (floor load limit; typically two 20-MT orders consolidated)

• Lead time: 15–21 days from confirmed LC/TT deposit

• Incoterms offered: FOB (main loading port), CIF, CFR, EXW

• Inspection optional: SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek at buyer’s cost