Overview
Calcium fluoride (CaF2), commonly known as fluorspar, is a naturally occurring mineral and a critical industrial chemical. It is prized for its exceptional optical properties, including transparency to ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light, making it indispensable in lens and window manufacturing for high-performance optical systems. The compound is also a primary source of fluorine in industrial processes. Its high thermal stability and resistance to chemical corrosion further expand its utility in metallurgical fluxes, ceramics, and as a feedstock for hydrofluoric acid production.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Calcium fluoride exhibits a cubic crystal structure, contributing to its hardness (4 on the Mohs scale) and cleavage properties. Its low solubility in water (0.0016 g/100 mL at 20°C) contrasts with its reactivity in concentrated acids, where it forms hydrofluoric acid—a key consideration for handling and storage. The material’s UV transparency (cutoff at ~125 nm) and high refractive index (1.433) make it ideal for lenses in spectroscopy and lithography. Its thermal conductivity (9.7 W/m·K) and melting point (1418°C) suit high-temperature applications like crucibles for molten metal processing.
Main Applications
In optics, calcium fluoride is the material of choice for UV lenses, prisms, and windows in excimer lasers and telescopes due to its minimal birefringence. The semiconductor industry relies on it for photomask substrates in extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL). Metallurgically, it serves as a flux to lower slag viscosity in steelmaking, improving impurity removal. Over 60% of global fluorspar production is converted to hydrofluoric acid, which is foundational for fluorocarbons, refrigerants, and aluminum smelting. Emerging uses include fluoride electrolytes in batteries and radiation detectors.
Safety and Storage
While calcium fluoride is non-combustible, its dust can irritate respiratory systems and eyes. NIOSH recommends a P95 respirator for concentrations above 2.5 mg/m³. Spills should be contained with inert absorbents to prevent airborne dispersion. Store in polyethylene-lined containers to avoid moisture absorption. Incompatible materials include strong acids (e.g., sulfuric acid) and aluminum, which may react exothermically. Facilities must comply with OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.1200 for hazard communication and provide eyewash stations in handling areas.
B2B Procurement Guide
Industrial buyers should prioritize specifications: optical-grade CaF2 requires >99.9% purity with controlled OH⁻ content (<10 ppm), while metallurgical grade accepts 80-85% CaF2. Key certifications include ISO 9001 for quality management and REACH compliance for EU imports. Bulk shipments (25-ton lots) typically cost 20-30% less than bagged quantities. Audit suppliers for mining practices—China, Mexico, and Mongolia dominate production, but ethical sourcing is increasingly scrutinized. Consider long-term contracts to hedge against price volatility driven by fluorine demand in lithium battery production.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：高岭土、铝矾土、高铝粉、氟化钙粉、炉衬料、石英砂、石英粉、长石粉、高铝砂、玻璃粉、电熔镁砂、锆英砂、金刚砂、矿渣粉、重晶石粉、彩砂、重金石、钙粉
- 主营：贝壳粉、氧化铁、填充剂、氟化钙、萤石球、海泡石、火山石、沸石粉、加重剂、电气石、金刚砂、金云母、碳酸钙、麦饭石、修复剂、夜光粉、鹅卵石、夜光石、石英砂、萤石粉、造纸木粉、耐火材料、园艺造景、粉体材料、煅烧工业、轻质绝热
- 主营：火山石、沸石、沸石粉、氟化钙、石英粉、石英砂、石墨粉、氢氧化钙、氧化钙、浮石、鹅卵石、凹凸棒土、硅灰粉、活性白土
- 主营：石墨粉、鳞片石墨、可膨胀石墨、氟化钙粉、土状石墨、铁粉、钢砂、硅藻土、膨润土、铁砂、玻璃微珠、莫来砂、蒙脱石粉
- 主营：镀膜材料、蒸发颗粒、三氧化钨、氟化钙晶体、高纯铟丝、氧化镨粉末、高纯铝靶材、氧化铒粉末、高纯钒靶材、高纯钛颗粒、高纯铌靶材、高纯硅靶材、高纯铬颗粒、高纯钽靶材、高纯锗靶材、高纯铪靶材、三氧化二铁、高纯铬靶材、三氧化二铟、高纯锰靶材、高纯铜颗粒、高纯硫化锌、高纯钨靶材、高纯锆靶材
- 主营：火山石、火山岩、火山石板、硅藻土、萤石粉氟化钙、氧化钙、竹炭、活性炭、铁粉、松树皮、灌浆料、萤石、云母、陶粒、膨润土、硫自养、石英砂、火山石粉、重晶石粉、蛭石、硫酸钡、果木炭粉
- 主营：高岭土、重质碳酸钙、碳酸钙、氟化钙、滑石粉、海泡石、石灰石、硅藻土、一级矿粉、萤石矿石、活性钙、沉淀硫酸钡、氢氧化钙、氧化钙、膨润土、透明粉、硅酸铝粉、贝壳粉、彩砂、轻钙、萤石粉、水镁石、矿粉、铸石粉、浴沙、金玉明砂
- 主营：萤石块、发光石、轻钙粉、氟化钙、蛭石粉、夜光沙、夜光石、云母粉、夜光粉、夜光砖、托玛琳、海泡石、硅藻土、萤石粉、萤石球、滑石粉、石英粉、电气石、蛭石片、彩砂、盐沙、石英砂、漂珠、碳酸钙粉
- 主营：fto靶材、钐靶材、硼化锆、氟化钙粉末、硒靶材、铝靶材、钆靶材、铽靶材、氟化镁、钇靶材、钼靶材、铬靶材、镉靶材、钽靶材、硒化锌、氟化镱、砷化镓、硒化锑、碲化镉、镍靶材、钨靶材、铑靶材、铒靶材、铪靶材、锑靶材、碲粉末
- 主营：火山石、吸附竹炭、重晶石粉、萤石氟化钙、火山石板、萤石、铁粉、石英砂、硅藻土、氧化镁、松树皮、木粉、玻璃块、氧化钙、高强无收缩灌浆料、火山石粉、陶粒、云母
- 主营：高岭土、萤石、蛭石、钢厂冶金用氟化钙、镁球、石英砂、彩砂、岩片、火山岩、玻璃、沸石、硫酸钡、电气石、金刚砂、石膏粉、卵石、氧化铁、陶瓷球、立德粉、硅藻土、贝壳粉、粉煤灰、玉石粉、活性炭、珍珠岩、膨润土
- 主营：贝壳粉、固体机、杨木粉、氟化钙、微景观、萤石矿、水洗砂、钠云母、硅酸盐、磨漂珠、白漂珠、乳胶漆、萤石块、细云母、发光石、黑彩砂、轻钙粉、珠光粉、蛭石粉、夜光沙、云母沙、石棉绒、硅藻泥、珍珠岩、非金属、芙蓉红
- 主营：光纤束、氯化镧、凸透镜、氟化钙、溴化镧、氟化镁、体颗粒、冷光源、氟化钡、反射镜、单模光纤、闪烁晶体、石英光纤、红外窗口、石英基板、保偏光纤、光纤环圈、弯月形透镜、激光扩束镜、氟化锂晶体、截止滤光片、光纤内窥镜、中空波导光纤、激光传输光纤、消色差负透镜
- 主营：珍珠岩、蛭石、石英砂、氟化钙、氧化钙生石灰、氢氧化钙熟石灰、滑石粉、碳酸钙、膨润土、高岭土、铝矾土、木粉、夜光石、陶瓷球、陶瓷砂、玻璃砂、云母岩片、氧化铁、金刚砂、生物质颗粒、橡胶颗粒、喷涂棉、白云石
- 主营：钛酸锶单晶、氧化镁单晶、YAG、氟化钙、掺杂YAG、透明陶瓷、锗单晶、磷化铟单晶、砷化镓单晶、砷化铟单晶、氟化镁、氟化锂、碳化硅单晶、氧化镓单晶、氮化镓单晶、氮化铝单晶、铜单晶、铝单晶、镁单晶、镍单晶、氮化镓外延、氧化镓外延、半导体硅、LAST单晶