Powdered calcium chloride is a white, fine-powdered inorganic compound with the formula CaCl₂. It has extremely strong hygroscopicity, absorbing moisture quickly from the air, and dissolves rapidly in water (with slight heat release). Its fast dissolution makes it ideal for scenarios like emergency industrial wastewater pH adjustment, laboratory small-scale experiments, and rapid snow melting on small areas. It needs sealed storage to avoid deliquescence; direct skin contact should be avoided as it may irritate.
Parameter Category | SpecificIndicators(IndustrialGrade/FoodGrade) | Description |
Chemical Formula | CaCl₂ | Inorganic compound composed of calcium and chlorine elements. |
Appearance | White fine powder, free-flowing (when dry) | May agglomerate slightly if exposed to moisture; high-purity powder is whiter. |
Purity | Industrial Grade: ≥74% / ≥94%; Food Grade: ≥99% | Food grade must comply with national food safety standards (e.g., GB 1886.45-2016). |
Hygroscopicity | Extremely high; absorbs moisture rapidly in air | Prone to deliquescence (turning into paste) if not sealed, losing usability. |
Solubility | Rapidly soluble in water (74.5g/100mL at 20℃); slightly soluble in ethanol | Slight heat release occurs during dissolution; aqueous solution is neutral to weakly alkaline. |
Melting Point | 772℃ (anhydrous state) | Maintains stability at room temperature; melts into conductive liquid at high temps. |
pH Value (10% Aqueous Solution) | 7.0-8.5 | Low corrosiveness to common equipment; no strong acid/alkali irritation. |
Toxicity | Industrial Grade: Irritating to skin/mucosa; Food Grade: Safe for food processing | Industrial grade must not contact food; wear gloves when handling to avoid irritation. |
1.Powdered calcium chloride dissolves rapidly in water, so it is often used to adjust the pH of acidic industrial wastewater and precipitate heavy metal ions (e.g., lead, mercury) in wastewater—CaCl₂ reacts with these ions to form insoluble precipitates, facilitating pollutant removal.
2.Small-scale snow and ice melting
For small areas like residential yards or sidewalks, powdered calcium chloride can be directly spread to lower the freezing point of snow and ice; its fast dissolution rate allows it to quickly penetrate snow layers and accelerate melting, without requiring complex spreading equipment.
3.Laboratory reagent preparation
In laboratories, powdered calcium chloride is a common reagent for preparing calcium-containing solutions (e.g., calcium chloride aqueous solutions for chemical reactions) — its fine powder form ensures easy weighing and rapid dissolution, saving time for experimental operations.
4.Food processing (food-grade only)
Food-grade powdered calcium chloride serves as a coagulant in tofu or bean curd production; when added to soymilk, CaCl₂ promotes the coagulation of soy proteins into a solid gel structure, helping form the texture of tofu. It also acts as a calcium fortifier in some beverages.
5.Small-batch moisture absorption (e.g., packaging dehumidification)
Due to its strong hygroscopicity, powdered calcium chloride is packaged into small dehumidifying bags for use in sealed packages (e.g., electronic product boxes, leather goods storage). CaCl₂ absorbs moisture in the package to prevent mold growth or moisture damage to items.