Calcium carbide

Calcium carbide, also known as calcium acetylide, is chemical compound with the formula CaC2. It is produced through the combustion of lime and coke in a furnace at 2200 degrees Celsius. The base metal is essentially colourless, but technical grade CaC2 is grey or black in colour. The main application of CaC2 is in the production of acetylene gas (an industrial heating gas that produces the hottest flame under atmospheric conditions. This flame is commonly used in oxy-acetylene torches for welding and cutting metal. There are various other industrial applications, from steelmaking to fruit ripening.