Acetylene Characteristics

Flammable. Colourless gas with ether-like odour when very pure, otherwise garlic-like. Supplied dissolved in acetone or DMF (n,n-dimethylmethanamide). Can decompose instantaneously at pressures higher than 1 bar. Acetylene can be delivered as a non-dissolved gas for specific R&D applications. Gas density is slightly lighter than air.

 

Acetylene Technical Data

US DOT NAME acetylene

UN NUMBER 1001

US DOT LABEL FLAMMABLE GAS

US DOT CLASS 2.1 FLAMMABLE

SDS LINK Acetylene SDS

 

 

 

Acetylene Supply Options

 

cOMPRESSED CYLINDERS

 

 

Acetylene Source

Acetylene is manufactured commercially by reaction between calcium carbide and water, and as a by-product of ethylene production.

 

 

Acetyelne Uses and Applications

Acetylene is used as a raw material for the production of electrically conducting plastics, such as polyacetylene.

 

Acetylene is used with high purity synthetic air or nitrous oxide as a fuel for the flame in atomic absorption flame spectroscopy. This is used in water, soil, food and biological research laboratories where sensitivity and accuracy of results are important.

 

Acetylene is most commonly used in combination with oxygen for cutting or welding materials such as mild steel, where the standard industrial grade is sufficient. Acetylene with low phosphine levels is required for lead brazing or welding.

 

Acetylene is used in organic synthesis (laboratory work) as well as in chemical synthesis.

 

Acetylene is used as carbon source in the production of molecules like fullerenes; well-known examples are

buckyballs or carbon nanotubes.

 

Acetylene is used in the cultivation of plants; it improves the formation of new flowers.

 

Acetylene is used as a component in calibration gases for the gas, oil and chemical industries.

 

Acetylene is still used in some lighthouses as light fuel source.

 

Acetylene is one of the components of lung testing gases.