Hydrated Lime, also known as calcium hydroxide and slaked lime, is an inorganic compound widely used across industrial, municipal, and food-grade applications. It is most commonly employed as a flocculant in water and sewage treatment, and also finds broad application in construction, paper manufacturing, food preparation, and soil stabilization. Hydrated Lime is valued for its effectiveness as a low-cost alkaline reagent across a wide range of industries.
Hydrated Lime is typically supplied as a white powder and is available in bulk quantities, as well as bags, drums, and custom packaging options depending on application requirements.
Contact The Chemical Company for current packaging options, lead times and supply chain updates.
Hydrated Lime is a white, odorless, non-flammable crystalline powder with the molecular formula Ca(OH)₂. It is relatively insoluble in water but dissolves sufficiently at ambient temperatures to produce an alkaline solution with a pH of approximately 12.4. Aqueous solutions of hydrated lime are called limewater and act as medium-strength bases capable of reacting with acids.
Limewater can attack certain metals such as aluminum while simultaneously protecting others, including iron and steel, from corrosion through surface passivation. Like all metal hydroxides, hydrated lime adopts a polymeric structure. It is produced commercially by treating quicklime (calcium oxide) with water in a process known as slaking.
Although hydrated lime is relatively mild in diluted form, exposure to pure concentrations can cause severe chemical burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Proper protective equipment should be used when handling the material.
In water and wastewater treatment, hydrated lime is one of the most cost-effective alkaline reagents available, used to adjust pH, remove heavy metals, and precipitate impurities. In the paper industry, it plays a critical role in the causticizing step of the Kraft pulping process. Due to its low toxicity in diluted form, it is also widely used in the food industry for applications such as clarifying sugarcane juice and pickling vegetables.
Hydrated Lime is used across several industries and applications, including:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Hydrated Lime / Calcium Hydroxide |
| CAS Number | 1305-62-0 |
| Molecular Formula | Ca(OH)₂ |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water; produces alkaline solution at pH ~12.4 |
| Flammability | Non-flammable |
| Stability | Stable under normal storage conditions; absorbs CO₂ from air over time |
Hydrated Lime is available in a range of packaging formats to meet your operational needs:
Custom packaging and supply solutions are available based on your application and volume requirements.
Hydrated Lime is most commonly used as a flocculant and pH adjustment agent in water and sewage treatment. It is also widely used in construction, food processing, paper manufacturing, and industrial waste neutralization.
Quicklime (calcium oxide) is produced by heating limestone at high temperatures. Hydrated Lime is produced by adding water to quicklime in a process called slaking, which converts calcium oxide to calcium hydroxide.
The CAS number for Hydrated Lime is 1305-62-0.
Hydrated Lime is relatively mild in diluted form, but exposure to pure concentrations can cause severe chemical burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Appropriate personal protective equipment should always be worn when handling the material.
Yes. Food-grade hydrated lime is designated E526 and is used in applications such as clarifying sugarcane juice, nixtamalization of corn, and pickling vegetables.
Hydrated Lime is available in bags, drums, and bulk quantities depending on your volume and application requirements.
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