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A mineral form of calcium fluoride (CaF2), used in making some cements and types of glass.
A pure naturally occurring form of calcium fluoride.
Calcium fluoride is the main ingredient of fluorspar or fluorite, the chemical formula is CaF2, it is colorless cubic crystal or white powder.
CAS: 7789-75-5
MF: CaF2
MW: 78.07
EINECS: 232-188-7
A compound is a substance, usually in the physical state of a solid, liquid, or gas, that consists of one or more atoms or molecules bonded together with chemical bonds.
A compound may be homogeneous, that is, Calcium Fluoride consists of one single substance, or it may be heterogeneous, that is, Calcium Fluoride consists of two or more different substances.
Calcium Fluoride can be found in nature, in compounds such as sugar, or they can be made by humans.
Calcium Fluoride is a new compound that has been used in the production of glass since the early 1900's.
Calcium Fluoride is a solid, easily dissolved in water, and has a unique physical and chemical structure that allows it to be used as an ingredient in glass production.
Before the development of Calcium Fluoride, glass used in windows, bottles, and other glass products was made from calcium silicates.
The new type of glass, which is called glass with added fluorides, has many advantages over calcium silicates, which have limitations that make them unsuitable for modern glass production.
Calcium Fluoride is the mineral form of fluorine, a naturally occurring element that’s a common component of rock, soil, plants, and animals.
In the mid 1800s, the French chemist Henri Sainte-Claire Deville discovered that calcium fluoride, CaF2, was a nontoxic compound that he was able to use to rapidly produce large amounts of calcium carbonate, or calcite, a compound used to make many compounds and products including glass, concrete, and pharmaceuticals.
For over 100 years, calcium fluoride was used as a calcium supplement, in the form of tablets or tablets dissolved in water.
Calcium Fluoride is a white crystalline solid that is commonly used in the production of glass and ceramics due to its high strength.
Calcium Fluoride is produced by the reaction of calcium oxide and fluorine gas in the presence of a catalyst, typically manganese dioxide.
Calcium Fluoride has several industrial uses in the production of glass, ceramics, and other materials.
In addition, calcium fluoride is a component of a number of pharmaceuticals as a coating on tablets and capsules.
Calcium Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in fluoride-rich waters.
Calcium Fluoride is commonly used in dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
Calcium Fluoride also is used as an ingredient in common food items, such as flour, toothpaste, and textured vegetable protein.
Calcium Fluoride is also used as an additive in several non-food products, such as insulation and glass.
As you may know, calcium fluoride is a byproduct of the co-generation process used to produce calcium carbide.
This process is only used for the production of calcium carbide and not for calcium fluoride.
Since calcium carbide is an important raw material for many chemical industry products, use of calcium carbide by component manufacturers has been increasing in recent years.
The chemical industry is a booming industry with many new products being created every day.
Calcium Fluoride is often due to the need for new chemical compounds for a myriad of products we use every day.
In the oil and natural gas industries, calcium fluoride is used as a drilling fluid and as a component of industrial processes.
Calcium Fluoride is also used as a chemical feedstock.
Calcium fluoride is a white solid with a distinctive odor.
Calcium Fluoride is soluble in water and soluble in hydrocarbon solvents.
Calcium fluoride occurs as crystalline double-fluoride minerals.
Calcium Fluoride's name is derived from the Latin word "fluor" which means “to shine”.
Does your toothpaste say calcium fluoride?
That's the name of the chemical made from calcium and fluorine, used in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other hygiene products.
But calcium fluoride is not the only material made with calcium and fluorine.
In fact, these chemicals are so versatile that they can be found in everything from.
Calcium fluorides (CaF2) is a chemical compound with a variety of industrial applications, including:
As a fluoropolymer, Calcium Fluoride is a high-performance white (with a high optical density, high reflectivity, and high elastic modulus), high temperature, and high stress-resistant material.
Calcium Fluoride can also be used as a high-performance metal coating and thermal insulation.
Calcium Fluoride is a white, odorless, slightly salty crystal that is used in chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Calcium Fluoride is a non-toxic material and has a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and residential applications.
Calcium Fluoride is also referred to as Fluorspar, CaF 2 , and CaF 2 .
Calcium Fluoride, also known as Hydrofluorocarbon-12, is a chemical compound used as a food additive, a disinfectant and a disinfection by-product.
The US FDA and the European Commission have determined that reasonable quantities of Calcium Fluoride present no harm to the general population.
Calcium fluoride is the inorganic compound of the elements calcium and fluorine with the formula CaF2.
Calcium Fluoride is a white insoluble solid.
Calcium Fluoride occurs as the mineral fluorite (also called fluorspar), which is often deeply coloured owing to impurities.
Moderately toxic by intraperitoneal route.
Mildly toxic by ingestion.
An experimental teratogen.
Other experimental reproductive effects.
Mutation data reported.
When heated to decomposition Calcium Fluoride emits toxic fumes of F-.
Calcium fluoride is used for production of hydrofluoric acid; as a flux in steel manufacture; in smelting; electric arc welding, making glass and ceramics; and to fluoridate drinking water.
Compounds such as calcium fluoride or potassium fluoride belong to a group that is collectively referred to as fluorides.
They are inorganic hydrofluoric acid salts containing fluorine.
An average consumer would only associate fluorides with fluoridation treatments given prophylactically at schools and kindergartens.
Indeed, the Calcium Fluoride has become most popular due to the fluorine content as an ingredient of toothpastes, mouthwashes and tooth enamel strengthening preparations.
Calcium fluoride (CaF2) is used in aluminium-metallurgy, brake lining, glass manufacturing, enamel and glazing frits production, and the production of welding agents.
Calcium Fluoride (CaF₂) is commonly used for optics looking at the IR and UV spectrums and has a very low change in refractive index with wavelength.
Calcium Fluoride shares similar optical properties with Barium Fluoride although it has a transmission that is 2.5µm less into the infra-red.
Calcium Fluoride is however cheaper than Barium Fluoride as the optical grade occurs naturally as opposed to BaF2 being man made.
Calcium fluoride is an ionic crystal with the fluorine anions in a simple cubic array and calcium cations in half of the cubic sites of the structure.
The calcium ions can also be thought of as being on an "expanded" fcc lattice with the fluorine ions causing their lattice separation to be 0.39 nm.
This representation is shown in the lower diagram.
The unit cell has 4 Ca2+ ions and 8 F1- ions.
The material is transparent in the visible spectral region, and shows electronic optical adsorption in the ultra violet and lattice optical absorption in the infrared.
Chemical structure
Calcium Fluoride crystallizes in a cubic motif called the fluorite structure.
Ca2+ centres are eight-coordinate, being centered in a cube of eight F− centres.
Each F− centre is coordinated to four Ca2+ centres in the shape of a tetrahedron.
Although perfectly packed crystalline samples are colorless, the mineral is often deeply colored due to the presence of F-centers.
The same crystal structure is found in numerous ionic compounds with formula AB2, such as CeO2, cubic ZrO2, UO2, ThO2, and PuO2.
In the corresponding anti-structure, called the antifluorite structure, anions and cations are swapped, such as Be2C.
Calcium fluoride is an ionic crystal with the fluorine anions in a simple cubic array and calcium cations in half of the cubic sites of the structure.
The calcium ions can also be thought of as being on an "expanded" fcc lattice with the fluorine ions causing their lattice separation to be 0.39 nm.
This representation is shown in the lower diagram.
The unit cell has 4 Ca2+ ions and 8 F1- ions.
Calcium Fluoride is transparent in the visible spectral region, and shows electronic optical adsorption in the ultra violet and lattice optical absorption in the infrared.
Gas phase
The gas phase is noteworthy for failing the predictions of VSEPR theory; the CaF2 molecule is not linear like MgF2, but bent with a bond angle of approximately 145°; the strontium and barium dihalides also have a bent geometry.
Calcium Fluoride has been proposed that this is due to the fluoride ligands interacting with the electron core or the d-subshell of the calcium atom.
Calcium Fluoride Chemical Properties
Melting point: 1402 °C
Boiling point: 2500 °C (lit.)
Density: 3.18 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
Refractive index: 1.434
Fp: 2500°C
Storage temp.: -20°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in acid; insoluble in acetone.
Form: rod
Color: white
Specific Gravity: 3.18
Water Solubility: 0.015 g. per 100g H20 at room temperature.(INSOLUBLE)
Sensitive: Hygroscopic
Merck: 14,1667
Solubility Product Constant (Ksp): pKsp: 8.28
Exposure limits: ACGIH: TWA 2.5 mg/m3
NIOSH: IDLH 250 mg/m3; TWA 2.5 mg/m3
Stability: Stable. Calcium fluoride is inert to organic chemicals and many acids, including HF.
It will slowly dissolve in nitric acid.
InChIKey: WUKWITHWXAAZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L
CAS DataBase Reference: 7789-75-5(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference: Calcium fluoride(7789-75-5)
EPA Substance Registry System: Calcium difluoride (7789-75-5)
Calcium fluoride is the main ingredient of fluorspar or fluorite, the chemical formula is CaF2, it is colorless cubic crystal or white powder.
The relative density is 3.18, the melting point is 1423℃, boiling point is about 2500 ℃.
The solubility in water is minimal , 100g water can dissolve only 0.0016g at 18 ℃, Calcium Fluoride is insoluble in acetone, but soluble in hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and ammonium salt solution, and it can not react with dilute acid, but can react with hot concentrated sulfuric acid and generate hydrofluoric acid, Calcium Fluoride can form a complex when dissolves in aluminum and iron salts (Fe3 +) solution.
Natural calcium fluoride is mineral fluorite or fluorspar, often shows gray, yellow, green, purple and other colors, sometimes it is colorless, transparent, shiny glass, brittle, and the relative density is 3.01~3.25, it has significant phenomenon of fluorescence.
Calcium Fluoride can be used as the source of fluorine and the material to make hydrofluoric acid system, fluoride; and it can also be used in terms of the manufacture of glass, enamel, glaze.
Calcium Fluoride is mainly used as a flux in metallurgy, the very pure fluorspar can be used to make specialty lenses.
Water when contains (1~1.5) × 10-6 calcium fluoride can prevent dental problems.
In addition, Calcium Fluoride can be used in smelting iron and steel, chemicals, glass, ceramics manufacturing.
Calcium Fluoride can be used for catalyst of dehydration, dehydrogenation.
By the effect of soluble calcium salts (calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide) and sodium fluoride or hydrofluoric acid, ammonium fluoride, calcium fluoride can be obtained.
Calcium fluoride, CaF2, also known as fluorite and feldspar, is a colorless solid composed of cubic crystals.
Calcium Fluoride has a low water solubility, but is readily soluble in ammonium salt solutions.
Calcium fluoride is used in the synthesis of hydrofluoric acid and in etching glass.
Calcium Fluoride is not hygroscopic and is relatively inert.
Calcium Fluoride has a sufficiently high resistance to thermal and mechanical shock, and it is easily fabricated into a variety of detector geometries.
Calcium Fluoride has a very low vapor pressure, allowing it to be used in a wide variety of vacuum applications.
Calcium Fluoride is insoluble in water and most organic solvents, permitting radioactive samples in solution to be placed in direct contact with the crystal.
Calcium Fluoride is a transparent material used for detecting γ-rays up to several hundred keV and for detecting charged particles.
Because of Calcium Fluoride's low atomic number, the material’s photofraction is relatively small which limits its use in γ-ray spectrometry at higher energies.
However, the low atomic number makes Calcium Fluoride an ideal material for the detection of β-particles because of the small amount of backscattering.
White cubic crystal or powder; refractive index 1.434; density 3.18 g/cm3; hardness 4 Mohs; melts at 1,418°C; vaporizes at 2,533°C; insoluble in water (16 mg/L at 20°C); Ksp 3.9x10-11; slightly soluble in dilute mineral acid; soluble in concentrated acids (with reaction).
The molecular formula of the compound is CaF2 and its systematic name is: calcium difluoride.
The substance comes as small, shiny and glassy crystals and is obtained through a reaction of binary hydrofluoric acid with calcium carbonate.
Calcium Fluoride occurs naturally as a common mineral called fluorite.
Calcium Fluoride crystals have varying colours, from pink to green and blue.
Calcium Fluoride has a low solubility in water.
Calcium Fluoride is almost insoluble in acids and is a poor electrical conductor.
The molecular weight of calcium fluoride is 78.08 g/mol and the density is 3.18 g/cm³ (20 °C).
Crystals of CaF2 start to melt at the temperature of 1418 ºC and boil at 2500 ºC .
The substance causes corrosion of different materials and reacts with sulfuric acid (VI).
Calcium fluoride dissociates into calcium cations and fluorine anions.
Uses
Naturally occurring Calcium Fluoride is the principal source of hydrogenfluoride, a commodity chemicalusedto produce a wide range of materials.
Fluoride is liberated from the mineral by the action of concentrated sulfuric acid:
CaF2 (solid)＋H2SO4 (liq)→CaSO4 (solid)＋2HF (gas)
Calcium Fluoride is used as an optical component because of its chemical stability under adverse conditions.
Calcium fluoride is commonly used as a window material for both infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths, since Calcium Fluoride is transparent in these regions (about 0.15 to 9 mm) and exhibits an extremely low-refractive index.
Calcium Fluoride is a water insoluble calcium source for use in oxygen-sensitive applications, such as metal production.
In extremely low concentrations (ppm), fluoride compounds are used in health applications.
Calcium Fluoride compounds also have significant uses in synthetic organic chemistry.
They are also commonly used to alloy metal and for optical deposition.
Calcium Fluoride is also used as a flux for melting and liquid processing of iron, steel and their composites.
Calcium Fluoride's action is based on its similar melting point to iron, on its ability to dissolve oxides and on its ability to wet oxides and metals.
Fluorspar is the main primary source of fluorine and its Compounds.
In ferrous metallurgy Calcium Fluoride is used as a flux to increase the fluidity of the slag.
The steel industry is the largest consumer; the chemical industry, second and glass and ceramics, third.
Synthetic fluorspar is used in the optical industry (transmits u.v. rays), and pure calcium fluoride is used as catalyst in dehydration and dehydrogenations.
Used to fluoridate drinking water.
Calcium fluoride is the commercially important source for fluoride compounds as well as hydrogen fluoride.
Calcium Fluoride is transparent from ultraviolet to infrared region.
Calcium Fluoride is used in spectroscopy, thermal imaging systems and excimer lasers; it is also used in the manufacturing of optical components including windows, prisms and lenses.
In addition, Calcium Fluoride is also used in aluminum-metallurgy, brake lining manufacturing industries, and in tooth enamel.
Calcium fluoride is used in the production of dietary supplements that enhance the functioning of all the organs in the body, especially muscles and bones.
Powders containing Calcium Fluoride are used in treatments to stimulate the immune system and improve the quality of the water-mineral balance of the whole body.
Industrial uses
Also called fluorite, fluorspar is a crystalline or massive granular mineral of the composition Calcium Fluoride, used as a flux in the making of steel, for making hydrofluoric acid, in opalescent glass, in ceramic enamels, for snaking artificial cryolite, as a binder for vitreous abrasive wheels,and in the production of white cement.
Calcium Fluoride is a better flux for steel than limestone, making a fluid slag, and freeing the iron of sulfur and phosphorus.
Acid spar is a grade used in making hydrofluoric acid.
Calcium Fluoride is also used for making refrigerants, plastics, and chemicals, and for aluminum reduction.
Optical fluorspar is the highest grade but is not common.
Calcium Fluoride crystals for optical lenses are grown artificially from acid-grade fluorspar.
Pure calcium fluoride, Ca2F6, is a colorless crystalline powder used for etching glass, in enamels, and for reducing friction in machine bearings.
Calcium Fluoride is also used for ceramic parts resistant to hydrofluoric acid and most other acids.
Calcium fluorite has silicon in the molecule and is a crystalline powder used for enamels.
The clear rhombic fluoride crystals used for transforming electric energy into light are lead fluoride, PbF2.
Applications
Naturally occurring Calcium Fluoride is the principal source of hydrogen fluoride, a commodity chemical used to produce a wide range of materials.
Calcium fluoride in the fluorite state is of significant commercial importance as a fluoride source.
Hydrogen fluoride is liberated from the mineral by the action of concentrated sulfuric acid:
CaF2 + H2SO4 → CaSO4(solid) + 2 HF
Others
Calcium fluoride is used to manufacture optical components such as windows and lenses, used in thermal imaging systems, spectroscopy, telescopes, and excimer lasers (used for photolithography in the form of a fused lens).
Calcium Fluoride is transparent over a broad range from ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR) frequencies.
Calcium Fluoride's low refractive index reduces the need for anti-reflection coatings.
Calcium Fluoride's insolubility in water is convenient as well.
Calcium Fluoride also allows much smaller wavelengths to pass through.
Doped calcium fluoride, like natural fluorite, exhibits thermoluminescence and is used in thermoluminescent dosimeters.
Calcium Fluoride forms when fluorine combines with calcium.
Calcium fluoride is widely used in industry and beyond.
Calcium Fluoride is mostly fit for the production of hydrogen fluoride, which is used for example in glass etching and yeast production.
Calcium Fluoride comes in handy as a reagent in chemical laboratories.
Calcium Fluoride is also a valuable raw material used in the production of:
Filters and optical glasses,
Anti-reflection coatings,
Cosmetics,
(calcium) Nitrogenous fertilisers used in agriculture,
Dental preparations and varnishes.
Fluorine and its compounds calcium fluoride and sodium fluoride have a great variety of applications in caries prophylaxis.
They are used to produce gels, mouthwashes and pastes that strengthen tooth enamel and protect against acids.
The substances are used in stomatology and aesthetic medicine.
Harmfulness
Is calcium fluoride harmful?
Just like any other chemical substance, calcium fluoride may cause a number of unpleasant ailments of the respiratory and digestive systems, if misused.
Under laboratory conditions, the inhalation of Calcium Fluoride fumes causes burns of internal organs and even leads to pulmonary oedema.
The crystal causes diffuse poisoning whose symptoms include stomach aches, diarrhoeas and tingling in limbs.
The contact of calcium fluoride with the eye mucosa causes redness and burning.
However, note that small doses of Calcium Fluoride have no side effects, if used as recommended by manufacturers.
Production Methods
The commercial product is obtained from naturally occurring mineral fluorspar, which is purified and powdered.
Also,Calcium Fluoride may be precipitated by mixing a solution of sodium fluoride with a soluble calcium salt:
Ca(NO3)2 + 2NaF → CaF2 + NaNO3
Alternatively, Calcium Fluoride may be obtained by treating calcium carbonate with hydrofluoric acid：CaCO3 + 2HF → CaF2 + CO2 + H2O.
Reactivity Profile
Calcium fluoride has weak oxidizing or reducing powers.
Redox reactions can however still occur.
The majority of compounds in this class are slightly soluble or insoluble in water.
If soluble in water, then the solutions are usually neither strongly acidic nor strongly basic.
These compounds are not water-reactive.
Synonyms
7789-75-5
Calcium difluoride
calcium;difluoride
CaF2
MFCD00010907
Kalziumfluorid
Kalziumdifluorid
AMETHYSTUM
FLUORITUM
ZISHIYIN
CALCII FLUORIDUM
CALCIUM FLUORITE
ZI SHI YING
FLUORITUM [CHP]
Calcium fluoride, ultra dry
PURPLE STONE RADIANCE
CALCIUM FLUORIDE [MI]
Calcium fluoride, precipitated
CALCIUM FLUORIDE [HSDB]
CALCIUM FLUORIDE [INCI]
Calcium fluoride, Reagent Grade
CALCAREA FLUORICA [HPUS]
DTXSID4050487
Calcium fluoride (99.9%-Ca)
CHEBI:35437
CALCIUM FLUORIDE [MART.]
Titanium Diboride (TiB2) Powder
CALCIUM FLUORIDE [WHO-DD]
Calcium Fluoride Sputtering Target
AKOS015833222
Calcium fluoride, Vacuum Deposition Grade
Flake graphite with High purity 200 mesh
C3745
Calcium fluoride, 99.985% (metals basis)
FT-0623393
Q413374
Ytterbium Manganese Oxide (YbMnO3) Sputtering Targets
Calcium fluoride crystal optic disc, 13mm x 1mm, polished both sides
Calcium fluoride crystal optic disc, 13mm x 2mm, polished both sides
Calcium fluoride crystal optic disc, 38mm x 6mm, polished both sides
Calcium fluoride crystal optic disk, 25mm x 4mm, polished both sides
Calcium fluoride crystal optic rectangle, 30mm x 15mm x 4mm, polished both sides
