Everything You Need to Know About Acetylene: Properties, Uses and Safety Information

Acetylene is one of the most important compounds in the chemical and manufacturing industries, used in a variety of processes due to its unique properties. In this article, we will learn what Acetylene is, what industries it is used in, the processes it is used in, the hazards involved, and the safety precautions required when working with it.

What is Acetylene?

Acetylene, or ethylene, is an unsaturated hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C₂H₂. It is a colorless and flammable gas that is gaseous at normal temperature and pressure. It is produced by reacting calcium carbonate with hydrochloric acid or by decomposing calcium carbide with water.

Industries that use Acetylene

Acetylene is a major raw material in a number of industries due to its high energy properties and reactivity.

Among the major industries that use it are:

• Chemical industry: Acetylene is used as a raw material for the production of essential chemicals such as vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile.

• Metallurgical industry: It is used in welding and cutting metals due to its high flame temperature.

• Plastics industry: It is a precursor for the production of polymers and plastics such as polyacetylene.

• Pharmaceutical industry: It is used in the synthesis of some drugs and pharmaceutical compounds.

Processes using Acetylene

Acetylene has several major industrial applications, including:

Welding & Cutting

• Acetylene Welding: Used in combination with oxygen to make strong and precise welds on metals.

• Acetylene Cutting: Used for cutting metals at high temperatures.

Chemical production

• Ethylene Synthesis: Acetylene is converted to Ethylene, a building block for the production of many different chemicals.

• Acetaldehyde synthesis: Used in the production of acetic acid and other substances.

• Plastics & Polymers: Polyacetylene: Made from Acetylene and used in electronic applications and as a conductive material.

Why is Acetylene so dangerous?

Acetylene is extremely dangerous due to its properties:

• Flammable: Forms explosive mixtures with air and is easily ignited.

• Unstable: At high pressure, Acetylene can decompose violently, causing an explosion.

• Toxicity: At high concentrations it can cause poisoning and asphyxiation.

Safety precautions when working with Acetylene

Due to the risks associated with Acetylene, it is important to follow strict safety measures.

Here are some key recommendations:

• Handling and Storage: Store in suitable container: Use approved Acetylene container and keep upright.

• Proper Ventilation: Ensure the workplace has adequate ventilation to prevent dangerous build-up.

• Avoid contamination: Do not store Acetylene near heat sources or combustible materials.

Workflow:

Use personal protective equipment (PPE): Wear safety glasses, gloves, and flame-retardant clothing.

Regular maintenance: Regularly inspect equipment and gas cylinders for leaks or damage.

Training: Provide ongoing training on risks and safety measures to all employees.

ACETILEX: EGA Master Solution

Acetylene is a group IIC gas, so non-sparking alloys are unlikely to cause an explosion. However, this gas reacts with any alloy containing more than 65% copper, producing Acetylene Copper.

Since both Cu-Be and Al-Bron non-sparking alloys contain more than 80% copper, it is not feasible to use these alloys in explosive environments containing Acetylene.

In addition to Cu-Be and Al-Bron, there are other non-sparking alloys, such as brass.

However, although brass contains 60% copper, its mechanical strength is very low compared to copper-berylum alloys and non-sparking aluminum bronzes, namely 4 to 6 times lower mechanical strength.

This results in a shorter useful life and is an unprofitable option.

For this reason, at EGA Master we have developed ACETILEX non-sparking tools, which are Cu-Be and Al-Bron non-sparking alloys with a copper content of less than 65%, making them the only safe and profitable non-sparking option in Acetylene environments.

Do you work in an environment with Acetylene? Contact us for advice from our experts.