Calcium carbide (CaC₂) is a chemical compound that appears as a grey to black crystalline solid. When it comes into contact with water or moisture, it reacts vigorously to produce acetylene gas, which is widely used in welding, metal cutting, and chemical synthesis. Beyond acetylene production, calcium carbide plays an important role in steelmaking, where it helps remove impurities and improve metal quality. Thanks to its high reactivity and significant chemical energy, it is considered a vital and strategic material in numerous industrial processes.