Comparison of Applications Between Nano Calcium Carbonate and Ordinary Calcium Carbonate
Although nano calcium carbonate and ordinary calcium carbonate share the same chemical formula, their properties and applications are vastly different. Ordinary calcium carbonate serves as an economical "filler," primarily used to increase volume and reduce costs, while nano calcium carbonate functions as a high-performance "functional material," significantly enhancing the mechanical and optical properties of products.
The Specific Differences between the Two are As Follows:
Core Differences: Particle Size and Structure
Ordinary calcium carbonate: The particle size is usually between 1-20 micrometers (μm), and the crystal shape is single (mostly spindle shaped).
Nano calcium carbonate: particle size between 0.01-0.1 micrometers (μm), or 20-100 nanometers (nm), is one tenth of that of ordinary products. Controllable crystal form (such as cube, chain, etc.).
Performance Difference: from "Filling" to "Functionality"
Specific surface area: Nano calcium carbonate is nearly 8 times larger than ordinary products, with quantum size, surface and other nano effects.
Dispersion and compatibility: Ordinary products are prone to aggregation; Nano products have excellent dispersibility after surface modification and good compatibility with organic matrices.
Mechanical properties (reinforcement): Ordinary products mainly increase stiffness and dimensional stability; Nanoproducts can significantly improve tensile strength, impact resistance, bending modulus, etc., and their reinforcing effect can be comparable to that of white carbon black.
Optical and processing performance: Nanoproducts can provide better glossiness, smoothness, and whiteness, improve transparency, thixotropy, leveling, and impart thermal hysteresis to plastics.
The Watershed of Application Fields
The application of ordinary calcium carbonate: focusing on cost-effectiveness. Widely used in PVC pipes/profiles, building materials, papermaking, rubber and other bulk commodities; It is also used in fields such as feed and food (such as calcium tablet additives).
Application of nano calcium carbonate: targeting the high-end market. Mainly used for high-end plastics, automotive parts, coatings, inks, sealants, etc; And strategic emerging industries such as photovoltaics, 5G communication, and pharmaceuticals.
Summary of Advantages and Disadvantages
Ordinary calcium carbonate: Its advantages are extremely low cost and wide range of sources. The disadvantage is that it has a single performance and mainly serves as a filling function.
Nano calcium carbonate: Its advantage is superior performance, with multiple functions such as filling, reinforcement, and modification. The disadvantages are complex production process, high cost, difficult dispersion, and sensitivity to drying temperature and other processes.
In general, the choice of calcium carbonate depends on your product positioning: if you pursue ultimate cost control, ordinary calcium carbonate is the first choice; If we pursue excellent product performance, the value increase brought by nano calcium carbonate will far exceed its cost increase.