Lime

Description

Any of several forms of calcium oxide obtained from heating Calcium carbonate (Limestone, Marble, Chalk, and shells). When calcium carbonate is heated to about 500 C, carbon dioxide is driven off leaving anhydrous Calcium oxide or Quicklime. When quicklime is soaked in water, it is changed to Calcium hydroxide or Slaked lime. Slaked lime that is dried and ground to a fine powder is called hydrated lime or lime hydrate. Lime will eventually harden and react with carbon dioxide to reform calcium carbonate. Lime is used in mortar, Cement, Stucco, Glass, Whitewash, Putty, leather tanning, papermaking, and as a water-softening agent.

Synonyms and Related Terms

calcium oxide; calcium hydroxide; calcia; quicklime; caustic lime; hot lime; hydraulic lime; hydrated lime; burnt lime; chaux (Fr.); cal (Esp., Port.); , Gebrannter Kalk, Gelöschter Kalk (Deut.); ongebluste kalk (Ned.)

Risks

• Noncombustible.
• Caustic material that may cause irritation and burns on contact.
• Fisher Scientific: SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Slightly soluble in water.
• Composition = CaO
• pH = 12.5-12.8
• Melting pt = 2614 C

Resources and Citations

Jonathan Taylor, "Lime: The Basics", Building Conservation Directory 2000 : Link