Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Calcium hydroxide
open-in-new
<p>Calcium hydroxide (traditionally called slaked lime) is an <a href="/facts/Inorganic_compound/TfFfzxSz">inorganic compound</a> with the chemical formula <a href="/facts/Calcium/hf252CC0">Ca</a>(<a href="/facts/Hydroxide/zW0wxpWD">OH</a>)2. It is a colorless crystal or white powder and is produced when quicklime (<a href="/facts/Calcium_oxide/Wh9C8l7j">calcium oxide</a>) is mixed with <a href="/facts/Water/0lkXnJPK">water</a>. Annually, approximately 125 million tons of calcium hydroxide are produced worldwide. </p><p>Calcium hydroxide has many names including hydrated lime, caustic lime, builders' lime, slaked lime, cal, and pickling lime. Calcium hydroxide is used in many applications, including food preparation, where it has been identified as <a href="/facts/E_number/n3VSY29I">E number</a> E526. Limewater, also called milk of lime, is the common name for a <a href="/facts/Saturated_solution/kLE9h3Jb">saturated solution</a> of calcium hydroxide. </p>