Barium Carbonate

Barium Carbonate powder is a white powdery compound, composed of barium ions and carbonate ions, insoluble in water, widely used in chemical, glass ceramics, electronics and other fields.

Properties

Chemical formula: BaCO3

Reaction with acid: it can react with strong acids such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, etc., and release carbon dioxide gas, such as the chemical equation for the reaction with hydrochloric acid; however, it does not react with sulphuric acid because it will produce insoluble barium sulphate precipitate.

Thermal stability: it will decompose when heated to a certain temperature, and decompose into barium oxide and carbon dioxide at about 1450℃, the chemical equation is.

Appearance: White powder

Density: Relative density is high, about 4.275 – 4.43 g/cm³.

Melting point: Melting point is 811℃ (the temperature at which γ-type is converted to β-type), and the melting point of α-type can reach 1740℃ (90.9×10⁵Pa).

Solubility: almost insoluble in water (20 ℃, solubility in water is 0.002g/100ml), slightly soluble in water containing carbon dioxide, soluble in ammonium chloride solution and ammonium nitrate solution to generate complexes.

Mohs hardness: 3.5, relatively soft.

Toxicity: Toxic and harmful to human body. If accidentally ingested, barium carbonate will be dissolved in stomach acid and become soluble toxic barium chloride, which will damage the digestive tract and nervous system, and the maximum permissible concentration in the air is 0.5mg/m³.

Hygroscopicity: Slightly hygroscopic.

Application

Glass industry:

Additives: Barium carbonate is used as additives in glass production, which can increase the refractive index, hardness and scratch resistance of the glass, make the glass more solid and durable, and help to improve the optical performance and transparency of the glass, which can be used in the manufacture of various types of optical glass, advanced transparent glass materials, etc. For example, it can be used in the field of optical instruments to manufacture high-grade optical lenses and transparent protective materials.

Ceramic Industry:

Glaze composition: In ceramic glaze, barium carbonate can improve the baking and rubbing resistance of the glaze, so that the glaze colour of ceramic products is firm, bright and stable. Adding barium carbonate can also reduce the porosity and bubbles of ceramic products, improve translucency, expand the range of sintering, increase the coefficient of thermal expansion, and improve the quality and aesthetics of ceramic products.
Ceramic raw materials: In the production of structural ceramics, the use of powdered barium carbonate can improve the hardness, abrasion resistance and chemical corrosion of ceramic products such as tiles.

Electronic Industry:

Electronic component materials: Barium carbonate can be used in the production of certain types of electronic components such as ceramic capacitors, dielectrics and semiconductor materials, helping to stabilise and enhance the electrical properties of these electronic components.
X-ray protection: Since barium carbonate has strong X-ray shielding ability, adding barium to the glass case of colour TV or computer picture tubes can effectively absorb X-rays generated under high-voltage current, and it can also be used in the production of radiation filters to absorb high-intensity radiation.

Chemical industry:

Sulphur remover: It can be used to remove sulphate in wet process phosphoric acid, and plays a role in removing impurities in some chemical production processes.
Catalyst or raw material: It can be used as a component in the production of certain catalysts or as a raw material for the preparation of other chemical products, for example, when used in the production of ferrate, it can improve its magnetic properties.

Iron and steel industry:

Steelmaking auxiliary material: barium carbonate can be used as an auxiliary material in the iron and steel industry for removing impurities and controlling the sulphur content in iron and steel, which helps to improve the quality of iron and steel.

Other Applications:

Pyrotechnic manufacturing: It can be used to formulate fireworks to produce specific colours and effects.

Pigment Manufacturing: Used in the production of certain pigments and coatings to provide specific colour and chemical properties to the pigments.

Water purification and treatment: Used as a precipitant for removing sulphate in water purification and three-waste treatment.

Rubber and plastics industry: In the rubber and plastics industry, barium carbonate can be used as a stabiliser to increase the heat resistance and weather resistance of the products.

Drilling industry: It is used as a heavy material in drilling fluid to control the pressure at the bottom of the well, prevent the wellhead from collapsing and ensure the smooth progress of drilling.