A binary compound of carbon with some other element or radical, in which the carbon plays the part of a negative; formerly termed carburet
Chemically, calcium carbide is CaC2, a substance resembling dark grey limestone gravel which, when combined with water, produces flammable acetylene gas Before electric lights, carbide was used by miners as fuel for their lamps (carbide lamps are still frequently called "miners lamps"), hence the term "miners grade" in reference to smaller chunks which burn easily in a carbide lamp It is still the fuel of choice for many European and U S cavers due to its heat producing properties and the quality (due to wavelength) of the light it produces
A very hard and durable compound used to make router cutters This is either brazed onto steel shoulders or produced as an integral solid carbide cutter Carbide requires careful handling and storage as it can be brittle
A compound that contains a negatively charged carbon atom or carbon in a negative oxidation state, such as calcium carbide (CaC2)
Chemical compound used in lamps which produces inflammable acetylene gas on contact with water
A compound of carbon and another less electronegative element, for example, silicon carbide (SiC)