Substance profile
Calcium hydride
Calcium hydride is gray orthorhombic crystals or powder.
01 · Identification
What Calcium hydride is
Calcium hydride is gray orthorhombic crystals or powder. It is practically insoluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H260 | In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously. |
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Calcium hydride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.7 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.7 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in all common inert solvents | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Calcium hydride
Incompatible materials
Extremely reactive or incompatible with moisture. The product reacts violently with water to emit flammable but non toxic gases.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
When silver fluoride is ground with CALCIUM HYDRIDE the mass becomes incandescent [Mellor 3:389 1946-47]. Heating the hydride strongly with chlorine, bromine, or iodine leads to incandescence. Mixtures of the hydride with various bromates, i.e. barium bromate; chlorates, i.e. barium chlorate, and perchlorates, i.e. potassium perchlorate; explode on grinding, [Mellor, 1946, vol. 3, 651]. CaH2 reacts incandescently with AgF if subject to friction. (Mellor, 1941, Vol. 3, 389, 651).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Calcium hydride in the storage compatibility matrix →