Page 80 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

ACETYLENE

Interesting Facts

Acetylene was used as used in a variety of settings,
a source of illumination such as the source of light
beginning in the early for bicycles and early motor
1900s. In one type of cars and as a source of
acetylene lamp, water was illumination for miners.
allowed to drop on a solid Some small towns even used
chunk of calcium carbide at a acetylene lamps as their
controlled rate. The acetylene major source of town lighting.
produced then passed into an Acetylene lamps continue to
ignition chamber, where it be a popular collectors item
burned with a brilliant white among antique dealers today.
light. Acetylene lamps were

and perchloroethylene, and the family of plastics known as
the acrylates. (The name vinyl refers to the remnant of an
acetylene molecule after one hydrogen atom has been
removed: -CH 2 =CH-.) About 20 percent of all the acetylene
produced is used for torches that produce very hot flames.
In one such torch, the oxyacetylene torch, acetylene gas
and oxygen are mixed and ignited at the tip of the torch.

The combination of gases burns at a temperature of 3,000 C

to 3,500 C (5,500 F to 6,300 F). Oxyacetylene torches are
used to cut through metal and to weld two metals to each
other. They can be used in very cold climates and even under
water.
Acetylene is both very flammable and explosive. Any-
one who works with the compound or uses it in any form
should know how to use the device that contains the gas.
Acetylene also has the somewhat unusual chemical property
of reacting with certain metals, such as copper and silver, to
form highly explosive compounds known as acetylides.
Lamps, torches, and other devices built to hold and dispense
acetylene can not contain any of these metals. High concen-
trations of the gas also pose a health hazard to humans. It
is classified as an asphyxiant, a gas that can produce dis-
orientation, unconsciousness, and death when inhaled to
excess.

CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS 29