Calcium Carbonate: The Versatile Industrial Mineral
Explore the extensive applications and essential properties of Calcium Carbonate (CAS 471-34-1) across diverse industries.
Get a Quote & SampleProduct Core Value
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium Carbonate (CAS 471-34-1) is a fundamental inorganic compound, prized for its chemical stability, low cost, and widespread applicability. It naturally occurs as calcite, aragonite, and vaterite, commonly found in limestone, chalk, and marble. Its production involves either mining and grinding (GCC) or chemical precipitation (PCC), yielding a white, odorless powder or crystals with minimal water solubility but good reactivity with acids.
- Its extensive use as a filler in plastics and polymers enhances rigidity, dimensional stability, and reduces production costs, making it a key component for plastics and polymers.
- In paints and coatings, it acts as an extender pigment, improving opacity, brightness, and viscosity control, crucial for achieving desired finishes in paints and coatings.
- It's a foundational ingredient in cement, mortar, and concrete, contributing to strength and durability, essential for various construction materials.
- In the pharmaceutical sector, it serves as an API for antacids and a calcium supplement, showcasing its critical role in pharmaceutical applications.
Key Advantages
Cost-Effectiveness and Availability
As a widely available and low-cost material, calcium carbonate offers significant economic benefits across many industrial processes, from manufacturing to agriculture.
Versatile Functionality
Its ability to act as a filler, pigment, abrasive, and chemical base makes it indispensable in sectors ranging from plastics and polymers to paints and construction.
Performance Enhancement
Properly processed calcium carbonate improves mechanical properties like stiffness and strength, enhances optical qualities like brightness and opacity, and aids in pH regulation, critical for applications like water treatment.
Key Applications
Plastics and Polymers
Used as a functional filler to improve rigidity, stability, and reduce costs in PVC, polyethylene, and polypropylene, vital for plastics and polymers manufacturing.
Paints and Coatings
Acts as an extender pigment to enhance opacity, brightness, and control gloss, a key component in formulations for paints and coatings.
Construction and Cement
A foundational ingredient in cement, mortar, and concrete, improving strength and workability, essential for the construction industry.
Agriculture and Animal Nutrition
Applied as a soil amendment to neutralize acidity and as a calcium supplement in animal feed, supporting healthy growth and productivity in agricultural applications.