Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate is a common substance found in rocks as the minerals calcite and aragonite (most notably as limestone) extracted by mining or quarrying as so called Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC). Alternatively, calcium carbonate is prepared from calcium oxide. Water is added to give calcium hydroxide then carbon dioxide is passed through this solution to precipitate calcium carbonate, referred to as precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC)

Synonyms
Argonite, Calcite, Chalk, Lime, Limestone, Marble, Ground Calcium Carbonate, GCC, Precipitated Calcium Carbonate, PCC, E170
Chemical Formula
CaCO3
CAS Number
471-34-1

Characteristics

Molar Weight
100.086 g/mol
Melting Point
825 °C
Boiling Point
decomposes
Density
2.71 g/cm³ (Calcite), 2.83 g/cm³ (Aragonite)
Forms
Grey, Powder, White

Uses and Applications

Key applications

  • Baking
  • Adhesives and Sealants
  • Agricultural
  • Household industrial
  • Paint and Coatings
  • Rubber
  • Floor coverings
  • Filler
  • Metallurgy
  • Plastics and polymers
  • Food additive
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Water treatment
  • Oil and Gas
  • Pulp and paper
  • Automotive
  • Personal care
  • Animal feed

Industries

  • Pulp & Paper
  • Pharma
  • Energy Services
  • Polymers
  • Cleaning
  • CASE & Construction
  • Mining
  • Beauty & Personal Care
  • Water Treatment
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Animal Nutrition
  • Agriculture
  • Lubricants
  • Chemical Processing
  • Rubber