calcium fluoride

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calcium fluoride

chemical compound

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June 22, 2026

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Calcium fluoride, with the chemical formula CaF₂, is a salt that is colorless when pure. It is most commonly found in nature as the mineral fluorite. Fluorite is a significant source of fluorine and is used in various industrial applications, including as a flux in steel manufacturing, in the production of aluminum fluoride and artificial cryolite, and in the creation of opalescent glass. It is also used in the production of hydrofluoric acid and in refining lead and antimony. Clear, colorless fluorite is utilized for optical lenses due to its low refractive index and dispersion. China and Mexico are the leading producers of fluorite.12

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calcium
Compounds
The fluoride, CaF₂, is important to the production of hydrofluoric acid, which is made from CaF₂ by the action of sulfuric acid. CaF₂ is used in laboratory instruments as a window material for both infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
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The fluoride, CaF₂, is important to the production of hydrofluoric acid, which is made from CaF₂ by the action of sulfuric acid. CaF₂ is used in laboratory instruments as a window material for both infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
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optical ceramics
Optical and infrared windows
… (NaCl), rubidium-doped potassium chloride (KCl), calcium fluoride (CaF), and strontium fluoride (SrF₂) have been used for erosion-resistant infrared radomes, windows for infrared detectors, and infrared laser windows. These polycrystalline halide materials tend to transmit lower wavelengths than oxides, extending down to the infrared region; however, their grain boundaries and porosity…
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… (NaCl), rubidium-doped potassium chloride (KCl), calcium fluoride (CaF), and strontium fluoride (SrF₂) have been used for erosion-resistant infrared radomes, windows for infrared detectors, and infrared laser windows. These polycrystalline halide materials tend to transmit lower wavelengths than oxides, extending down to the infrared region; however, their grain boundaries and porosity…
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halide mineral
Fluorite, or calcium fluoride (CaF₂), another simple halide, is found in limestones that have been permeated by aqueous solutions containing the fluoride anion. Noteworthy deposits of fluorite occur in Mexico; Cumberland, Eng.; and Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Colorado in the United States.
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Fluorite, or calcium fluoride (CaF₂), another simple halide, is found in limestones that have been permeated by aqueous solutions containing the fluoride anion. Noteworthy deposits of fluorite occur in Mexico; Cumberland, Eng.; and Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Colorado in the United States.
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spectroscopy
Infrared instrumentation
…of optical-grade crystals, such as calcium fluoride (CaF₂), zinc selenide (ZnSe), cesium iodide (CsI), or potassium bromide (KBr), coated with silicon or germanium are employed. Below 200 cm⁻¹ Mylar films of varying thickness are used to cover narrow portions of the region.
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…of optical-grade crystals, such as calcium fluoride (CaF₂), zinc selenide (ZnSe), cesium iodide (CsI), or potassium bromide (KBr), coated with silicon or germanium are employed. Below 200 cm⁻¹ Mylar films of varying thickness are used to cover narrow portions of the region.
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fluorine
Analysis
…fluorine are (1) precipitation of calcium fluoride in the presence of sodium carbonate and treatment of the precipitate with acetic acid, (2) precipitation of lead chlorofluoride by addition of sodium chloride and lead nitrate, and (3) titration (determination of concentration of a dissolved substance) with thorium nitrate (Th[NO₃
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…fluorine are (1) precipitation of calcium fluoride in the presence of sodium carbonate and treatment of the precipitate with acetic acid, (2) precipitation of lead chlorofluoride by addition of sodium chloride and lead nitrate, and (3) titration (determination of concentration of a dissolved substance) with thorium nitrate (Th[NO₃
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