Calcite and aragonite: two faces of calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is the compound responsible for limescale in water. What many people don't know is that it exists in two crystalline forms — called polymorphs — with radically opposite behaviours: calcite and aragonite.
Calcite is the thermodynamically stable form of CaCO₃. It crystallises in the trigonal system as compact, strongly adherent blocks. It is what builds up on your pipe walls, in your water heater, on your heating elements — this is limescale in the proper sense.
Aragonite, on the other hand, is a metastable polymorph with an orthorhombic structure. It forms acicular (needle-shaped) crystals approximately 30 to 40 times smaller than calcite aggregates. These micro-crystals don't adhere to surfaces: they remain suspended in the water and are naturally carried away by the flow.
Why this difference is crucial for your installation
When hard water (rich in calcium and magnesium) circulates through your pipes, CaCO₃ will inevitably precipitate. The question is not whether limescale will form, but in what form.
Without treatment, calcite dominates. It forms a continuous layer of limescale that:
- Reduces pipe diameter (potentially blocking them)
- Creates an insulating layer on heating elements (+1 mm = +7% energy consumption)
- Promotes under-deposit corrosion
- Reduces the lifespan of your appliances (water heater, white goods, boiler)
With a treatment that directs crystallisation towards aragonite, these problems disappear: the micro-crystals flow freely, no deposit forms, and existing deposits gradually dissolve.
Electromagnetic treatment: how does it work?
LIMPEO, manufactured by MAGIIC SAS, uses electromagnetic waves at specific frequencies to influence the nucleation phase of calcium carbonate.
Concretely, the electromagnetic field modifies crystallisation conditions in the water by acting on calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻). Instead of assembling into a trigonal structure (calcite), they organise into an orthorhombic structure (aragonite).
This mechanism has been scientifically validated by several university studies:
- Coey & Cass (2000) — Trinity College Dublin: demonstration of the impact of magnetic fields on CaCO₃ crystallisation and limescale formation. View study
- Kobe et al. (2001) — Jozef Stefan Institute, Slovenia: XRD/SEM analyses showing a significant increase in the aragonite fraction under magnetic field. View study
- Amiri & Dadkhah (2004) — Journal of Alloys and Compounds: evolution of CaCO₃ phases and modification of scaling behaviour. View study
- Beshchasna et al. (2020) — University of Nebraska: water heater tests showing a significant reduction in CaCO₃ deposits. View study
Calcite vs aragonite: the technical comparison
| Property | Calcite | Aragonite |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal structure | Trigonal | Orthorhombic |
| Crystal shape | Massive, compact blocks | Needles (acicular) |
| Characteristic size | Large (reference ×1) | 30 to 40× smaller |
| Adhesion to surfaces | Strong — forms limescale | Weak — remains in suspension |
| Thermodynamic stability | Stable | Metastable |
| Practical consequence | Fouling, loss of efficiency | No deposit, protected water |
The curative action: dissolution of existing deposits
Electromagnetic treatment not only prevents new deposits. In water containing dissolved CO₂, the calco-carbonic equilibrium enables a dissolution reaction:
CaCO₃ (s) + CO₂ (aq) + H₂O (l) ⇌ Ca(HCO₃)₂ (aq)
The solid calcium carbonate (the limescale) is converted into calcium bicarbonate Ca(HCO₃)₂, a highly soluble species. Existing deposits gradually dissolve as water circulates. Within a few weeks to a few months, pipes return to their original state.
88% scale reduction: key figures
- 88% reduction in pipe limescale
- 25% savings on the energy bill (elimination of the insulating limestone layer)
- Zero chemicals, zero salt, zero pollutant discharge
- Zero maintenance — no consumables, no intervention
- 10 years minimum lifespan
- Installation in 10 minutes without cutting the water supply
FAQ — Calcite vs Aragonite
What is the difference between calcite and aragonite?
Calcite and aragonite are two polymorphs of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Calcite has a trigonal structure and forms massive crystals that adhere to surfaces (limescale). Aragonite has an orthorhombic structure and forms micro-needles 30 to 40 times smaller that remain suspended in the water without creating deposits.
How does electromagnetic treatment transform calcite into aragonite?
LIMPEO emits electromagnetic waves at specific frequencies that modify the nucleation phase of calcium carbonate. Instead of crystallising as calcite (adherent), CaCO₃ orients towards an aragonite crystallisation (non-adherent). This phenomenon has been confirmed by Coey & Cass (2000) at Trinity College Dublin and Kobe et al. (2001) at the Jozef Stefan Institute.
Does existing limescale disappear with the treatment?
Yes. The calco-carbonic equilibrium enables the conversion of solid calcium carbonate into calcium bicarbonate Ca(HCO₃)₂, a soluble form. Existing deposits gradually dissolve over a few weeks to months depending on scale thickness.
Does LIMPEO use chemicals?
No. LIMPEO operates solely through electromagnetic waves. It uses no salt, no chemicals, and produces no discharge. It is a 100% ecological solution that does not modify the mineral composition of the water.
How long before results are visible?
The preventive effect is immediate: from installation, new calcite deposits stop forming. The curative effect (dissolution of existing deposits) generally takes between 2 and 8 weeks depending on scale thickness and age.
Is electromagnetic treatment scientifically proven?
Yes. Several studies published in peer-reviewed journals confirm the effectiveness: Coey & Cass (Trinity College Dublin, 2000), Kobe et al. (Jozef Stefan Institute, 2001), Amiri & Dadkhah (Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2004), and Beshchasna et al. (University of Nebraska, 2020).
Discover our scientific validation page to access the complete studies, or explore how LIMPEO works in detail. Ready to protect your installation? Consult our product range.