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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