Calcium Carbonate, a chemical compound with trigonal structure, can be used for a number of purposes. With this article, let us explore the different uses of calcium carbonate.

Uses Of Calcium Carbonate

A chemical compound with the formula CaCO3, calcium carbonate is commonly found in rocks present throughout the world. It also forms one of the main components of the shells of marine organisms, snails, pearls, and eggshells, apart from serving as an active ingredient in agricultural lime. Owing to the varied properties that it possesses, the chemical compound finds uses in a large number of applications. In case you want to explore the various uses of calcium carbonate, browse through the following lines.
 
Different Uses Of Calcium Carbonate
 
Industrial Uses 
  • As a building material in its own right (like marble) or limestone aggregate for the purpose road-building
  • As the starting material for preparing lime used by builders, after it is burnt in a kiln
  • For the purpose of purifying iron, in a blast furnace, from iron ore
  • As a formation bridging and filter-cake sealing agent in drilling fluids
  • As a weighting material to increase the density of drilling fluids, to control downhole pressures
  • As one of the main raw materials used in growing Seacrete or Biorock
  • As filler material for latex gloves, as precipitated Calcium carbonate (pre-dispersed in slurry form)
  • As an extender in paints, especially in matte emulsion paints
  • As a filler in plastics (example - 15 to 20% loading of chalk in uPVC drain pipe) as well as thermosetting resins
  • As an ingredient in some types of compression molded "clay" Poker chips
  • As an ingredient in the micro-porous film used in babies' diapers and some building films
  • In a wide range of trade and DIY adhesives, sealants, and decorating fillers
  • In setting stained glass windows, along with putty
  • as a resist to prevent glass from sticking to kiln shelves when firing glazes and paints at high temperature
  • As a common ingredient for many glazes, in ceramics/glazing applications
  • In the production of glossy paper, replacing kaolin
  • As a pH corrector in swimming pools, for maintaining alkalinity "buffer" to offset the acidic properties of the disinfectant agent
  • As a major component of blackboard chalk
  • As an abrasive, as scouring powder as well as as an ingredient of household scouring creams
  • For making mortar, which is used in bonding bricks, concrete blocks, stones and tiles
  • To collect any impurities present in the steel materials 
Health & Dietary Uses 
  • In the treatment of hyperphosphatemia (primarily in patients with chronic renal failure), as a phosphate binder
  • As an inert filler for tablets and other pharmaceuticals
  • As an inexpensive dietary calcium supplement or antacid
  • In the production of toothpaste
  • As one of the constitutional remedies in homeopathy
  • As a source of dietary calcium, in some soy milk products
  • As a very effective treatment for problems with stomach acid
  • To treat certain ailments related to calcium deficiency, like osteoporosis
  • In grocery products, such as backing powder, dry-mix dessert mixes, dough, plastic, and wine 
Environmental Uses 
  • To neutralize acidic conditions in water
  • As primary component of garden lime, also known as agricultural lime
  • In de-sulphurisation of flue gas and waste water treatments

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