Calcium phosphide Calcium phosphide Calcium phosphide (CP) is the inorganic compound with the formula CaP. It is one of several phosphides of calcium, being described as the salt-like material composed of Ca and P. Other, more exotic calcium phosphides have the formula CaP, CaP, CaP, and CaP. CaP has the appearance of red-brown crystalline powder or grey lumps. Its trade name is Photophor for the incendiary use or Polytanol for the use as rodenticide. It may be formed by reaction of the elements, but it is more commonly prepared by carbothermal reduction of calcium phosphate: The structure of the room temperature form
Calcium which the use of 0.1% calcium–lead alloys instead of the usual antimony–lead alloys leads to lower water loss and lower self-discharging. Due to the risk of expansion and cracking, aluminium is sometimes also incorporated into these alloys. These lead–calcium alloys are also used in casting, replacing lead–antimony alloys. Calcium is also used to strengthen aluminium alloys used for bearings, for the control of graphitic carbon in cast iron, and to remove bismuth impurities from lead. Calcium metal is found in some drain cleaners, where it functions to generate heat and calcium hydroxide that saponifies the fats and liquefies the proteins