HazMat Tool — substance information

Calcium carbide

HMT May 2026
UN / ID
UN 1402
Hazard class
4.3
Packing group
I (multiple — see tabs)
ERG guide
ERG 138
Special provisions
SP A1, SP A8, SP B55, SP B59, SP IB4, SP IP1, SP N34, SP T9, more…
Source
49 CFR §172 (2026/05)

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Calcium carbide


Calcium carbide, also known as calcium acetylide, is a chemical compound with the chemical formula of CaC2. Its main use industrially is in the production of acetylene and calcium cyanamide. The pure material is colorless, while pieces of technical-grade calcium carbide are grey or brown and consist of about 80–85% of CaC2 (the rest is CaO (calcium oxide), Ca3P2 (calcium phosphide), CaS (calcium sulfide), Ca3N2 (calcium nitride), SiC (silicon carbide), C (carbon), etc.). In the presence of trace moisture, technical-grade calcium carbide emits an unpleasant odor reminiscent of garlic. Applications of calcium carbide include manufacture of acetylene gas, generation of acetylene in carbide lamps, manufacture of chemicals for fertilizer, and steelmaking. Wikipedia

Substance Data

Source: PubChem (HSDB, 06.12.2019)

CAS-Number

75-20-7

Flash Point

n/a

Boiling Point

n/a

Emergency Response Guide No. 138

Hazardous Materials Table

Source: 49 CFR §172 (2026/05)

(3) Hazard Class

4.3
Dangerous when wet materials

(4) Identification number Help

UN 1402

(5) Packing Group Help

I

(6) Labels Help

Dangerous when wet materials (4.3) Cargo Aircraft Only (Cargo Aircraft Only)

(7) Special Provisions (§172.102) Help

×Note:
Special provisions may be very complex. The extracts are taken from 49 CFR §172.102. Please be careful with the information, as necessary, additional conditions may be applied that are not written here. Please check the original source and report bugs.
A1
A8
B55
B59
IB4
IP1
N34
T9
TP7
TP33
W31

(8) Packing Authorizations (§173.***) Help

(8A) ExceptionsNone
(8B) Non-bulk211see 49 CFR §173.211
(8C) Bulk242see 49 CFR §173.242

(9) Quantity Limits Help

(9A) Passenger aircraft/railForbidden
(9B) Cargo aircraft only15 kg

(10) Vessel stowage Help

(10A) Location
(10B) Other

(3) Hazard Class

4.3
Dangerous when wet materials

(4) Identification number Help

UN 1402

(5) Packing Group Help

II

(6) Labels Help

Dangerous when wet materials (4.3)

(7) Special Provisions (§172.102) Help

×Note:
Special provisions may be very complex. The extracts are taken from 49 CFR §172.102. Please be careful with the information, as necessary, additional conditions may be applied that are not written here. Please check the original source and report bugs.
A1
A8
B55
B59
IB7
IP2
IP21
N34
T3
TP33
W31
W40

(8) Packing Authorizations (§173.***) Help

(8A) Exceptions151see 49 CFR §173.151
(8B) Non-bulk212see 49 CFR §173.212
(8C) Bulk241see 49 CFR §173.241

(9) Quantity Limits Help

(9A) Passenger aircraft/rail15 kg
(9B) Cargo aircraft only50 kg

(10) Vessel stowage Help

(10A) Location
(10B) Other

Packing group comparison

Multiple packing groups apply to this entry. See assignment criteria in 49 CFR §173 Subpart D. Details are in the tabs above; differences are highlighted.

PG I PG II
1
2Calcium carbideCalcium carbide
34.34.3
4UN 1402UN 1402
5III
64.34.3
7A1, A8, B55, B59, IB4, IP1, N34, T9, TP7, TP33, W31A1, A8, B55, B59, IB7, IP2, IP21, N34, T3, TP33, W31, W40
8ANone151
8B211212
8C242241
9AForbidden15 kg
9B15 kg50 kg
10ABB
10B13, 52, 14813, 52, 148

Segregation chart for load, transport, and storage

This chart shows whether loading, transport, or storage with other hazard classes is permitted, prohibited, or restricted. Based on 49 CFR §177.848.

Prohibited Must not be loaded, transported, or stored together in the same vehicle or facility.
Permitted May be loaded, transported, or stored together.
Restricted May be loaded, transported, or stored together only with restrictions.