Acetylene is produced commercially by the reaction between calcium carbide and water, and is a by-product of ethylene production.
Acetylene is an important metal working gas, it can react with oxygen to produce high temperature flame, used in machining, fitters, welding and cutting. Acetylene welding is a common processing method that can glue two or more metal parts together to achieve the purpose of tight connection. In addition, acetylene can also be used to cut a variety of metals, including stainless steel, steel and aluminum. Acetylene can be used to produce chemicals such as acetylol alcohols, styrene, esters and propylene. Among them, acetynol is a commonly used organic synthesis intermediate, which can be used to manufacture chemicals such as acetynoic acid and alcohol ester. Styrene is an organic compound widely used in plastics, rubber, dyes and synthetic resins. Acetylene can be used in the medical field for treatments such as anesthesia and oxygen therapy. Oxyacetylene welding, used in surgery, is an advanced technique for soft tissue cutting and organ removal. In addition, acetylene is used in the manufacture of medical devices such as scalpels, various medical lamps and dilators. In addition to the fields mentioned above, acetylene can also be used to make various materials such as rubber, cardboard and paper. In addition, acetylene can also be used as a feedstock for the production of olefin and specialty carbon materials, as well as as a gas used in production processes such as lighting, heat treatment and cleaning.