Calcium

Calcium

Calcium (Ca) is a soft, silvery-white alkaline earth metal that plays a critical role in biological systems and industrial applications. It reacts readily with water and oxygen and must be stored in an inert atmosphere. Despite its reactive nature, calcium is essential in metallurgy, construction, and chemical synthesis.

Goodfellow provides pure calcium (Ca) for a wide range of scientific and industrial applications. In metallurgy, calcium serves as a reducing agent and deoxidizer, particularly in the production of high-purity metals like uranium and thorium. The construction industry heavily relies on calcium compounds, particularly calcium oxide (quicklime) and calcium hydroxide (slaked lime), which are fundamental components in cement and mortar production. In the agricultural sector, calcium plays a crucial role in soil treatment, helping to regulate soil pH and improve crop yields. Advanced research explores calcium's potential in energy storage technologies, with calcium-based batteries under investigation as a possible alternative to lithium-ion batteries, offering the potential for higher energy density and lower costs. Goodfellow's calcium products support cutting-edge research in materials science, particularly in the development of novel calcium-based compounds and alloys. From its traditional roles in metallurgy and construction to emerging applications in energy storage and advanced materials, calcium remains a critical element in both scientific advancement and industrial innovation.



General Properties

PropertyValue
Atomic Number20
Density1.55 g/cm³
Melting Point842 °C
Boiling Point1484 °C
Thermal Conductivity201 W/m·K
Electrical Resistivity33.6 nΩ·m
Crystal StructureFace-centered cubic (fcc)

Mechanical Properties

PropertyValue
HardnessMohs ~1.75
Elastic Modulus20 GPa
Poisson’s Ratio0.31

Chemical Properties

PropertyValue
Corrosion ResistanceLow, reacts with moisture and oxygen
ReactivityReacts with water, acids, and halogens
Oxidation States+2
Surface OxideCalcium oxide (CaO)
IdentifierValue
SymbolCa
Atomic Number20
CAS Number7440-70-2
UN NumberUN1401 (powder)
EINECS Number231-179-5
IsotopeTypeNotes
Ca-40Stable96.941% natural abundance
Ca-42, 43, 44, 46StableTrace amounts
Ca-48Semi-stableUsed in nuclear physics research

Scientific Applications

Use CaseDescription
Isotope TracersUsed in biological and environmental tracing studies
Vacuum Tube GettersRemoves residual gases in high-vacuum systems
Metallothermic ReductionExtracts rare earth elements and uranium
SemiconductorsUsed in the fabrication of specialty semiconductors
Biomedical ImagingCa-based compounds used as contrast agents

Industrial Applications

Use CaseDescription
SteelmakingActs as deoxidizer and desulfurizer
Cement IndustryCore element in cement and lime production
Alloying AgentImproves grain refinement in aluminum and lead alloys
DesiccantsUsed in moisture-sensitive applications
PyrotechnicsProduces bright orange-red flame colors
GradePurityMain Use
Standard Research Grade99%Used in laboratory research, vacuum technology, and chemical synthesis
Synonym
Ca
Elemental Calcium
Calcium Metal
Calcio