ALUMINUM CARBIDE

Chemical properties

Yellow crystals or powder. Decomposes in water with liberation of methane.

The Uses of ALUMINUM CARBIDE

Aluminum carbide is used as an abrasive material for cutting tools. It is also used to reduce metal oxides and to prepare aluminum nitride and methane. It and also finds use in metallurgy. Further, it acts as a catalyst and a drying agent.

The Uses of ALUMINUM CARBIDE

In generating methane; reducing metal oxides; in manufacture of aluminum nitride.

General Description

A yellow powder or crystals. Used to make other chemicals.

Air & Water Reactions

Decomposes slowly in presence of water or moist air to generate heat and flammable methane gas [Merck 12th ed. 1989]. Consequently a dangerous fire risk.

Reactivity Profile

ALUMINUM CARBIDE is a reducing agent. May react vigorously with oxidizing materials. Incandescence on warming with lead dioxide or potassium permanganate, [Mellor, 1946, Vol. 5, 872].

Hazard

Dangerous fire risk in contact with moisture.

Health Hazard

Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.