Calcium nitrate. Properties and applications

Calcium nitrate, also known by the traditional names "calcium nitrate", "calcareous or calcium nitrate", is an inorganic salt of nitric acid, which is colorless cubic crystals. The compound has a high degree of hygroscopicity. The density of the compound is 2.36 g / cm³, its melting point is 561 ° C, and boiling point is 151 ° C. Under normal storage conditions this is a non-flammable, explosion-proof substance. In the temperature range of -60 ° C to +155 ° C, stability is manifested, which distinguishes calcium nitrate. The formula of the chemical compound is Ca (NO3) 2.

Calcium nitrate is obtained by absorbing nitrogen oxides with lime milk or by exposing HNO3 to limestone. Granular calcium nitrate is obtained by the method of low-temperature neutralization of HNO3 with natural limestone.

Calcium nitrate is a universal physiological alkaline fertilizer suitable for soils with low calcium content. Calcium nitrate is suitable for all soils. Particularly appropriate is its use on acidified, sandy, alkaline soils. Calcium is necessary for the healthy and proper development of plant tissues, increasing the strength of their cell walls, improving the quality of the fruit. Calcium nitrate improves the product presentation, prolongs the shelf life of the product. It is also used for the prevention of diseases caused by a lack of calcium (core or vertex rot, edge burn of leaves and others). Fertilizer is used in liquid form. For hydroponic systems, calcium nitrate is the only way to produce water-soluble calcium.

The preparation of the compound in the form of granules and crystals substantially expanded the scope of its application. Granulated calcium nitrate is not caked, not hygroscopic, convenient to use.

Crystalline calcium nitrate is widely used in construction and industry. It is a complex additive introduced into concrete and mortar to improve their properties in the construction of monolithic reinforced concrete and concrete structures. These compounds are used as concrete hardening accelerators. They increase the class of waterproofness of concrete, increase the time of its setting without changing the flow (rheology) due to the use of plasticizers. Calcium nitrate is used to increase frost resistance, strength of concrete for fracture, reduction of shrinkage deformations of concrete and cracking, retardation of corrosion processes of reinforcing steel used in concretes caused by high chloride content.

It is also used in the preparation of oil well cements, which are designed for cementing oil wells, in the preparation of technological solutions used in the repair of gas wells, including drilling fluids.

Calcium nitrate is used in pyrotechnics, as it is one of the constituent elements of explosives. True, its use due to strong hygroscopicity is somewhat limited.

Calcium nitrate It is also widely used in the manufacture of reagents, dry mortars, fiberglass and building materials.