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Light Calcium Carbonate comes from limestone or calcite by some chemical process, turning the original rock into a fine white powder. People sometimes call it precipitated calcium carbonate. Unlike heavy calcium carbonate, it has a fluffy texture and lower bulk density, which changes how it behaves in different uses. Chemically, it follows the formula CaCO3. This white solid holds a spot in both industrial chemistry and everyday products, from paper to rubber. Its molecular weight stands at about 100.09 g/mol, and HC Code classification usually falls under 2836.50.
The form matters. Light calcium carbonate arrives as a loose powder, dense pearls, fine flakes, and sometimes solid blocks or even small crystals. The material dissolves poorly in water, forming a cloudy suspension rather than a complete solution, which sets some limits but also allows blending into pastes and mixes for paper, paint, and plastic. In my early work on ceramic tile manufacture, this light, airy powder mixed into glazes, providing both body and brightness. When looking at bags of the fluffy white dust, it’s easy to forget each kilogram stores centuries of mineral formation.
Formed through chemical precipitation, the microstructure of light calcium carbonate packs in tiny, rounded particles, often under two micrometers across. That gives it softness and high whiteness, making it useful for anyone aiming to add brightness or opacity. Specific density ranges from about 2.7 to 2.9 g/cm³, and in bulk, the powder takes up more volume than its heavier cousin. Its refractive index—about 1.59—helps scatter light, adding coverage to coatings and other mixes. The smooth texture lets it blend more thoroughly with matrix materials, like rubber or silicone, which aids in flexible products.
Industry standards often check for brightness (over 95%), moisture content (usually less than 0.5%), and bulk density values between 0.3 to 0.5 g/cm³. Particle size distribution runs from submicron up to 20 microns, a key consideration for paper or plastics. Chemical purity matters here too; quality grades often demand above 98.5% CaCO3 content. On import paperwork, the HS Code, 2836.50, aligns with its “chemical elements and compounds” grouping, marking it for handling in international trade. Factories order it in sacks, silos, or as pallets of bags, each amount calculated by volume or kilogram.
At a chemical level, light calcium carbonate holds a spot on the pH scale as mildly alkaline—often between 8.5 and 9.5. It won’t react with cold water, but acids break it down to release carbon dioxide bubbles, a trick seen in science classes and water treatment. As raw material, it comes from high-calcium limestone, purified in controlled reactors to limit impurities and control the size of the grains. Supply chains link quarries, chemical plants, and distribution warehouses, with strict records to ensure batch quality, which directly affects my own experience in lab troubleshooting.
The powder finds use in paper for improved printability and in plastics to boost strength and cut costs. Flakes provide another texture, used less often but offering a smoother finish for certain inks and coatings. Pearls, or spherical granules, add flow to automatic dosing systems; they are easier to meter into continuous-feed machines. Crystals, less common, serve labs and specialty markets. Each shape and size responds differently in water, oil, or solvents, which shapes how processes unfold on the factory floor.
Calcium carbonate belongs to the safer chemicals, lacking the toxic bite of heavy metals or the reactivity of strong acids. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) list it as non-hazardous in normal handling, though inhaling lots of airborne dust can irritate the lungs or throat. In my own health and safety training, dust from careless pouring turned out to be the number one complaint, not toxicity. Factories rely on dust masks and local exhaust to solve that. This compound does not burn or promote combustion, but fine dust may trigger small explosions under rare, dusty, and confined conditions, so closed systems handle large mixing jobs. Handling guidelines recommend storage in dry bins, keeping it away from acids and moisture.
Paper, rubber, plastic, sealants, paint, and even toothpaste all draw on light calcium carbonate for different reasons. Paper factories lean on it for whiteness and bulk; rubber and plastic shops value its ability to reinforce material while lowering costs. Paints gain better coverage per liter, which matters when budgets run tight. Recently, sustainability concerns push the industry to look for more energy-efficient processing, recycled raw materials, and closed-loop systems that keep dust and waste in check. Workers benefit from these improvements, cutting down on airborne dust while maintaining product quality.
