Calcium Carbonate, Heavy, Light, Oyster Shell Powder, Pigment White 18, E170, 471-34-1, 13397-25-6, 1317-65-3
CALCIUM CARBONATE (CaCO₃)
Heavy / Light / Ground / Precipitated / E170
CAS Numbers: 471-34-1, 13397-25-6, 1317-65-3
EC Number: 207-439-9
1. IDENTIFICATION
| Property |
Information |
| Chemical Name |
Calcium Carbonate |
| Synonyms |
Calcite, Limestone, Chalk, Aragonite, Marble, PCC, GCC, E170 |
| Chemical Formula |
CaCO₃ |
| Molecular Weight |
100.09 g/mol |
| CAS Numbers |
471-34-1 (General)
13397-25-6 (Precipitated)
1317-65-3 (Ground) |
| EC Number (EINECS) |
207-439-9 |
| E Number |
E170 (Food additive – white colorant) |
| Appearance |
White fine powder |
| Odor |
Odorless |
2. HEAVY vs LIGHT CALCIUM CARBONATE – COMPARISON
| Property |
Heavy Calcium Carbonate (GCC) |
Light Calcium Carbonate (PCC) |
| Production Method |
Mechanical grinding (Raymond mill, high-pressure mill) |
Chemical precipitation (carbonation process) |
| Source |
Natural (limestone, calcite, marble, chalk) |
Synthetic (from quicklime and CO₂) |
| Density (g/cm³) |
2.6 – 2.9 |
2.4 – 2.6 |
| Bulk Density (g/cm³) |
0.8 – 1.3 |
0.5 – 0.7 |
| Sedimentation Volume (mL/g) |
1.2 – 1.9 |
2.4 – 2.8 |
| Particle Shape |
Irregular, polydisperse |
Rhombohedral, spherical, acicular (controlled) |
| Particle Size |
0.5 – 100 µm |
0.1 – 10 µm |
| Whiteness |
85-95% |
95-98% |
| Purity (CaCO₃) |
95-99% |
98-99.5% |
| Primary Applications |
Construction, agriculture, fillers |
Food, pharmaceuticals, paper, high-end coatings |
3. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Property |
Heavy (GCC) |
Light (PCC) |
| Physical State (20°C) |
Solid (powder) |
Solid (fine powder) |
| Appearance |
White to off-white powder |
Pure white powder |
| Odor |
Odorless |
Odorless |
| Molecular Weight |
100.09 g/mol |
100.09 g/mol |
| Density (20°C) |
2.6 – 2.9 g/cm³ |
2.4 – 2.6 g/cm³ |
| Bulk Density |
0.8 – 1.3 g/cm³ |
0.5 – 0.7 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point |
1,339 °C (decomposes) |
1,339 °C (decomposes) |
| Decomposition Temperature |
~825 °C (to CaO + CO₂) |
~825 °C (to CaO + CO₂) |
| Solubility in Water (20°C) |
Very low (0.0013 g/100 mL) |
Very low (0.0013 g/100 mL) |
| Solubility in Acids |
Soluble (effervescent) |
Soluble (effervescent) |
| pH (10% slurry) |
~9 – 10 (slightly alkaline) |
~9 – 10 (slightly alkaline) |
| Hardness (Mohs) |
3 (calcite) |
3 (calcite) |
| Refractive Index |
1.49 – 1.66 |
1.49 – 1.66 |
| Whiteness |
85 – 95% |
95 – 98% |
| Sedimentation Volume |
1.2 – 1.9 mL/g |
2.4 – 2.8 mL/g |
4. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Property |
Information |
| Chemical Formula |
CaCO₃ |
| Molecular Weight |
100.09 g/mol |
| Calcium Oxide (CaO) Content |
~56% |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Content |
~44% |
| pH (10% slurry) |
~9 – 10 (slightly alkaline) |
| Stability |
Stable under normal conditions |
| Reaction with Acids |
CaCO₃ + 2 H⁺ → Ca²⁺ + H₂O + CO₂↑ (effervescence) |
| Thermal Decomposition |
CaCO₃ + Heat → CaO + CO₂↑ (above 825°C) |
| Reaction with CO₂ and Water |
CaCO₃ + H₂O + CO₂ → Ca(HCO₃)₂ (soluble) |
| Incompatible Materials |
Strong acids (decomposes, releases CO₂), ammonium salts |
Reaction with Acids (Effervescence):
CaCO₃ + 2 HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂↑
Thermal Decomposition (Calcination):
CaCO₃ + Heat → CaO (quicklime) + CO₂↑ (above 825°C)
5. PRODUCTION PROCESS
5.1. Heavy Calcium Carbonate (GCC – Ground Calcium Carbonate)
| Stage |
Description |
| 1. Mining |
Limestone, marble, or chalk is mined from quarries |
| 2. Crushing |
Large rocks are crushed to smaller sizes |
| 3. Grinding |
Crushed material is ground to fine powder (dry or wet milling) |
| 4. Classification |
Particle size is controlled (air classifier or screening) |
| 5. Coating (Optional) |
Surface treatment with stearic acid for hydrophobicity |
| 6. Packaging |
Product is packaged |
5.2. Light Calcium Carbonate (PCC – Precipitated Calcium Carbonate)
| Stage |
Description |
| 1. Calcination |
Limestone is heated to produce quicklime (CaO) |
| 2. Slaking |
Quicklime is reacted with water to produce slaked lime (Ca(OH)₂) |
| 3. Carbonation |
Slaked lime is reacted with CO₂ to precipitate CaCO₃ |
| 4. Filtration |
Precipitated CaCO₃ is filtered |
| 5. Drying |
Product is dried |
| 6. Milling |
Dried product is milled to desired particle size |
| 7. Classification |
Particle size is controlled |
| 8. Packaging |
Product is packaged |
Reaction Equations:
Calcination: CaCO₃ + Heat → CaO + CO₂↑
Slaking: CaO + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + Heat
Carbonation: Ca(OH)₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃↓ + H₂O
6. APPLICATIONS
6.1. Construction Industry (Largest Use – Heavy GCC)
| Application |
Function |
| Cement Production |
Raw material for Portland cement (CaO source) |
| Concrete Aggregate |
Crushed limestone as aggregate |
| Road Base |
Base material for roads and foundations |
| Building Stone |
Dimension stone (marble, limestone) |
| Mortar |
Component in masonry mortar |
| Plaster |
Filler and extender |
6.2. Agriculture
| Application |
Function |
| Soil pH Adjustment (Liming) |
Raises pH of acidic soils |
| Calcium Source |
Provides calcium for plant nutrition |
| Animal Feed |
Calcium supplement for livestock |
| Fertilizer Filler |
Inert filler in fertilizer blends |
6.3. Paper Industry (PCC preferred)
| Application |
Function |
| Paper Filler |
Increases opacity, brightness, smoothness |
| Paper Coating |
Coating pigment for glossy paper |
| Alkaline Sizing |
Buffer for pH control |
6.4. Plastics & Rubber Industry
| Application |
Function |
| Filler (Extender) |
Reduces cost, improves mechanical properties |
| PVC Compounding |
Filler for PVC pipes, profiles, cables |
| Masterbatch |
Carrier for pigment concentrates |
| Rubber |
Filler for tires and rubber goods |
6.5. Paints & Coatings
| Application |
Function |
| Filler (Extender) |
Reduces cost, improves opacity |
| Matting Agent |
Reduces gloss |
| Pigment Extender |
Extends titanium dioxide (TiO₂) |
6.6. Food Industry (E170 – PCC preferred)
| Application |
Function |
| Food Additive (E170) |
White colorant, anti-caking agent |
| Calcium Fortification |
Calcium source for food products |
| Baking Powder |
Component of baking powder (with acid) |
| Cheese Production |
Calcium source for cheese making |
| Toothpaste |
Mild abrasive, whitening agent |
| Cereals & Flour |
Calcium fortification |
| Confectionery |
Anti-caking agent in powdered sugar |
6.7. Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical
| Application |
Function |
| Calcium Supplement |
Calcium source (tablets, capsules) |
| Antacid |
Neutralizes stomach acid (heartburn relief) |
| Tablet Excipient |
Filler, diluent in tablet formulations |
| Dental Products |
Abrasive in toothpaste |
6.8. Environmental Applications
| Application |
Function |
| Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) |
Removes SO₂ from power plant emissions |
| Water Treatment |
Neutralizes acidic water, removes heavy metals |
| Acid Mine Drainage |
Neutralizes acidic mine runoff |
6.9. Other Applications
| Application |
Function |
| Education |
Blackboard chalk (traditional) |
| Art |
Gesso primer, pastels |
| Oil & Gas Drilling |
Weighting agent in drilling fluids |
| Glass Manufacturing |
Raw material (CaO source) |
| Ceramics |
Filler, flux agent |
| Detergents |
Abrasive in scouring powders |
7. E170 – FOOD ADDITIVE SPECIFICATIONS
| Parameter |
Specification |
| E Number |
E170 |
| Purity (CaCO₃) |
≥ 98.0% |
| Calcium (Ca) Content |
≥ 39.0% |
| Acid Insoluble Matter |
≤ 0.5% |
| Magnesium and Alkali Salts |
≤ 1.0% |
| Arsenic (As) |
≤ 1 ppm |
| Lead (Pb) |
≤ 2 ppm |
| Mercury (Hg) |
≤ 0.1 ppm |
| Cadmium (Cd) |
≤ 1 ppm |
| Fluoride (F) |
≤ 50 ppm |
8. QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS
| Parameter |
Heavy (GCC) |
Light (PCC) |
| Purity (CaCO₃) |
95 – 99% |
98 – 99.5% |
| Whiteness |
85 – 95% |
95 – 98% |
| Bulk Density (g/cm³) |
0.8 – 1.3 |
0.5 – 0.7 |
| Sedimentation Volume (mL/g) |
1.2 – 1.9 |
2.4 – 2.8 |
| Particle Size (D50) |
0.5 – 100 µm |
0.1 – 10 µm |
| Moisture |
≤ 0.5% |
≤ 0.5% |
| pH (10% slurry) |
~9 – 10 |
~9 – 10 |
| Iron (Fe) |
≤ 0.05% |
≤ 0.02% |
| SiO₂ |
≤ 0.5% |
≤ 0.1% |
| MgO |
≤ 0.5% |
≤ 0.1% |
9. STORAGE & HANDLING
| Parameter |
Information |
| Storage Conditions |
Cool, dry, well-ventilated area |
| Container Requirements |
Sealed bags, drums, or silos (protect from moisture) |
| Protect From |
Strong acids (decomposes), moisture (may cause caking) |
| Shelf Life |
24-60 months (stable – indefinite if kept dry) |
| Dust Hazard |
Avoid inhalation of fine dust |
| Incompatible Materials |
Strong acids (releases CO₂), ammonium salts |
| Packaging Options |
25 kg bags, 50 kg drums, 500 kg/1000 kg FIBC, bulk silos |
10. SAFETY & HEALTH INFORMATION
GHS Classification
| Hazard Class |
Category |
| Not classified as hazardous (for bulk solid) |
– |
Notes:
-
Calcium carbonate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS)
-
Fine dust may cause mechanical irritation to eyes and respiratory tract
-
Not classified as a hazardous substance under normal handling conditions
Hazard Statements (H-Codes)
| Code |
Statement |
| None |
Not classified as hazardous |
Precautionary Statements (P-Codes)
| Code |
Statement |
| P261 |
Avoid breathing dust |
| P271 |
Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area |
| P280 |
Wear protective gloves and eye protection |
Toxicological Information
| Parameter |
Value |
| Oral LD50 (rat) |
> 5,000 mg/kg (practically non-toxic) |
| Inhalation LC50 (rat) |
Not applicable (dust may cause irritation) |
| Skin Irritation |
Not an irritant |
| Eye Irritation |
Mechanical irritant (dust) |
First Aid Measures
| Exposure Route |
Action |
| Inhalation |
Remove to fresh air. Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation occurs. |
| Skin Contact |
Wash with soap and water. |
| Eye Contact |
Rinse with plenty of water for 15 minutes. |
| Ingestion |
Unlikely to cause harm. Seek medical attention if large amount ingested. |
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
| Equipment |
Recommendation |
| Respiratory Protection |
Dust mask (N95) when handling fine powder |
| Hand Protection |
Gloves (minimal risk – mechanical protection) |
| Eye Protection |
Safety glasses with side shields |
| Body Protection |
Lab coat or protective clothing |
11. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
| Parameter |
Information |
| Aquatic Toxicity |
Low (insoluble) |
| Biodegradability |
Not applicable (inorganic) |
| Bioaccumulation |
Not expected |
| Persistence |
Persistent (inorganic mineral) |
| Source |
Natural (mining) – non-renewable |
| Waste Disposal |
Non-hazardous; can be landfilled or recycled (cement production) |
12. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
| Parameter |
Information |
| UN Number |
Not regulated (non-hazardous) |
| Hazard Class |
None |
| Packing Group |
Not applicable |
| Marine Pollutant |
No |
13. REGULATORY INFORMATION
| Region |
Status |
| EU |
REACH registered; E170 approved as food additive |
| Turkey (KKDIK) |
Mandatory compliance; requires registration |
| USA (FDA) |
GRAS – 21 CFR 184.1191 (calcium carbonate) |
| Canada (DSL) |
Listed |
| Australia (AICS) |
Listed |
| E170 |
Approved worldwide |
14. HEAVY vs LIGHT – SELECTION GUIDE
| Application |
Recommended Grade |
Reason |
| Construction (Cement, Concrete) |
Heavy (GCC) |
Low cost, high bulk density |
| Agriculture (Liming) |
Heavy (GCC) |
Low cost, effective |
| Paper Filler |
Light (PCC) |
High whiteness, controlled particle shape |
| Paper Coating |
Light (PCC) |
High brightness, smooth finish |
| Plastics (General) |
Heavy (GCC) |
Low cost, good dispersion |
| Plastics (High-end) |
Light (PCC) |
High purity, narrow particle size |
| Food (E170) |
Light (PCC) |
High purity, food-grade |
| Pharmaceuticals |
Light (PCC) |
High purity, controlled particle size |
| Paints (General) |
Heavy (GCC) |
Low cost |
| Paints (Premium) |
Light (PCC) |
High whiteness, consistency |
15. SYNONYMS & OTHER NAMES
| Turkish Name |
English Name |
| Kalsiyum Karbonat |
Calcium Carbonate |
| Ağır Kalsiyum Karbonat |
Heavy Calcium Carbonate (GCC) |
| Hafif Kalsiyum Karbonat |
Light Calcium Carbonate (PCC) |
| Tebeşir |
Chalk |
| Kalsit |
Calcite |
| Kireçtaşı |
Limestone |
| Aragonit |
Aragonite |
| Mermer |
Marble |
| E170 |
E170 |
16. SUMMARY
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃, CAS 471-34-1, E170) is a white, naturally occurring mineral. It exists in two main commercial forms: Heavy (GCC – Ground Calcium Carbonate) obtained by mechanical grinding, and Light (PCC – Precipitated Calcium Carbonate) obtained by chemical precipitation.
Key Features:
| Feature |
Heavy (GCC) |
Light (PCC) |
| Production |
Mechanical grinding |
Chemical precipitation |
| Bulk Density |
0.8-1.3 g/cm³ |
0.5-0.7 g/cm³ |
| Whiteness |
85-95% |
95-98% |
| Particle Size |
0.5-100 µm |
0.1-10 µm |
| Cost |
Lower |
Higher |
Main Application Areas:
| Sector |
Applications |
| Construction |
Cement, concrete, road base |
| Agriculture |
Soil pH adjustment (liming), calcium source |
| Paper |
Filler, coating pigment (PCC preferred) |
| Plastics & Rubber |
Filler, extender |
| Paints & Coatings |
Extender, matting agent |
| Food (E170) |
White colorant, anti-caking agent, calcium fortification |
| Pharmaceutical |
Calcium supplements, antacid, excipient |
| Environmental |
Flue gas desulfurization, water treatment |
Key Safety Points:
-
NON-TOXIC – Generally recognized as safe (GRAS)
-
MECHANICAL IRRITANT – Dust may cause eye/respiratory irritation
-
STABLE – Chemically stable under normal conditions
-
NON-FLAMMABLE – No fire hazard
17. IMPORTANT NOTES
-
Heavy (GCC) vs Light (PCC): The main differences are production method, bulk density, sedimentation volume, particle shape, and whiteness. Heavy GCC is produced by mechanical grinding of natural limestone (bulk density 0.8-1.3 g/cm³, sedimentation volume 1.2-1.9 mL/g). Light PCC is produced by chemical precipitation (bulk density 0.5-0.7 g/cm³, sedimentation volume 2.4-2.8 mL/g).
-
Particle Shape: Heavy GCC has irregular, polydisperse particle shape due to mechanical grinding. Light PCC can be produced with controlled particle shape (rhombohedral, spherical, acicular) depending on precipitation conditions.
-
Whiteness: Light PCC has higher whiteness (95-98%) compared to heavy GCC (85-95%), making it preferred for high-end paper, food, and pharmaceutical applications.
-
Pharmaceutical Use: Calcium carbonate is used as a calcium supplement (to prevent osteoporosis) and as an antacid (to neutralize stomach acid). It is available as tablets, chewable tablets, and suspensions.
-
E170 – Food Additive: Calcium carbonate is approved as food additive E170 (white colorant). It is used in powdered sugar (anti-caking), baking powder, toothpaste, calcium-fortified foods, and confectionery.
-
Liming (Soil pH Adjustment): In agriculture, calcium carbonate is used to raise pH of acidic soils. The effectiveness depends on particle size (finer particles react faster) and purity (CaCO₃ equivalent). Heavy GCC is typically used.
-
Acid Reaction (Effervescence): One of the key identification tests for carbonate minerals is the reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl), which produces CO₂ bubbles (effervescence). This reaction is used to test for carbonates.
-
Thermal Decomposition (Calcination): When heated above 825°C, CaCO₃ decomposes to quicklime (CaO) and CO₂. This is the first step in cement production and lime manufacturing.
-
Paper Industry Preference: The paper industry prefers PCC (light) due to its higher whiteness, controlled particle shape, and better coating properties. PCC allows for higher filler loading without sacrificing paper strength.
-
Shelf Life: Calcium carbonate is very stable and has an indefinite shelf life if kept dry. However, exposure to strong acids should be avoided as it decomposes, releasing CO₂.
Important Disclaimer: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only. For complete safety, handling, storage, and regulatory compliance information, always refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier
