Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks such as the minerals calcite and aragonite (most notably limestone, which contains both of these minerals). Calcium carbonate is a white, odorless powder or colorless crystals. It is practically insoluble in water. Calcium carbonate is one of the most widely used minerals today. It has many uses in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.Calcium carbonate is the most widely used mineral in the paper, plastics, paint, and coatings industries as a filler and filler and because of its distinctive white color as a paint pigment. In the paper industry, it is valued worldwide for its high brightness and light scattering properties, and is used as an inexpensive filler to make opaque glossy paper. Filler is used in the wet end of papermaking machines, and calcium carbonate filler allows paper to be glossy and smooth. As an extender, calcium carbonate can account for up to 30% by weight in paints. Calcium carbonate is also widely used as a filler in adhesives and sealants.
Calcium carbonate is widely used as an effective calcium supplement, antacid, phosphate binder, or as a base for prescription tablets. It is also found on many grocery store shelves in products such as baking powder, toothpaste, dry dessert mixes, dough, and wine. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime, and is used in animal feed. Calcium carbonate also benefits the environment by treating water and waste.
Building and Construction Materials: Calcium carbonate is critical to the construction industry, both as a building material itself (such as marble) and as an ingredient in cement. It contributes to the mortar used to bind bricks, concrete blocks, stone, roofing shingles, rubber compounds, and tiles. Calcium carbonate decomposes to form carbon dioxide and lime, which is an important material in the manufacture of steel, glass, and paper. Because of its antacid properties, calcium carbonate is used in industrial settings to neutralize acidic conditions in both soil and water.
