Calcium nitride is a compound of two components, calcium and nitrogen. It can be formed from metal calcium by nitriding it with nitrogen, or from elemental calcium. The nitrifying reaction is a fast one. However, the nitrite and calcium nitride are two very different things.
One of the more common calcium compounds is calcium carbonate. This mineral can be found in many applications, including chalk, marble and limestone. Milk is another inexpensive source of this mineral.
Another commonly used calcium compound is calcium hydride, which can be prepared in two main ways. First, calcium nitride can be reacted with nitrites and nitrates to produce hydrides, which are a reducing agent. Second, calcium hydride can be reduced by metal oxides.
Using calcium as a reducing agent has its merits, but calcium is a soft metal with a relatively high melting point. Aside from being a reducing agent, calcium can also be used as an alloying agent for other metals. To avoid damage from heat or pressure, the powder should be stored in a cool place.
Aside from the obvious source of calcium nitride, it is also used to make reactive nitride ions, which are useful in chemical reactions. Ca3N2 is a flammable solid, so it is best to store it in a dry, cool environment. For transport, you should use a commercial freight carrier that is known to handle the material well. You can purchase it in bulk for this purpose.