UK
Europe
Netherlands
Filter
Looking for something?
If you do not see anything that suits your needs, please get in touch with your requirements.
Custom EnquiryBarium Ba, Available purity 99.9%
Barium fluoride BaF2, Available purity 99.9% & 99.99%
Barium oxide BaO,
Available purity 99.9%
Barium Titanate BaTiO3,
Available purity 99.9% & 99.99%
Barium Strontium Titanate Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3
Available purity 99.9% & 99.99%
Barium Ruthenium oxide BaRuO3,
Purity 99.9%
Barium Vanadium oxide BaVO3,
Purity 99.9%
Barium Strontium Ruthenium oxide (Ba0.5Sr0.5)RuO3,
Purity 99.9%
Barium-Nickel Oxide BaNi03,
Purity 99.9%
Barium Zirconium Yttrium oxide BaZr0.8Y0.2O3,
Purity 99.9%
Barium Stannate BaSnO3,
Purity 99.9%
Barium Cerium Yttrium Zirconium oxide Ba-Ce-Y-ZrO3,
Available in various ratios wt% or at%, Purity 99.9%
Barium Manganese Niobium oxide BaMn1/2Nb1/2O3,
Purity 99.9%
Barium Zirconate BaZrO3,
Purity 99.9%%
Barium Iron oxide BaFe12O19,
Purity 99.9%
Barium oxide-Calcium oxide-Aluminium oxide BaO-CaO-Al2O3,
Available in various ratios wt% or at%, Purity 99.9%
Barium- Zirconium Ba-Zr,
Available in various ratios wt% or at%, Purity 99.9%
Barium Bismuth oxide Ba1Bi1.1O3,
Purity 99.9%%
Barium Iron Scandium oxide BaFe11.1Sc0.9O19,
Purity 99.9%
Overview
Barium (chemical symbol Ba) is a soft, silvery-white alkaline earth metal that belongs to Group 2 of the periodic table. It is the fifth element in the alkaline earth series and is primarily obtained from the mineral barite (BaSO₄) or witherite (BaCO₃). Barium is known for its high density and various applications across different industries, including medical imaging, manufacturing, and chemicals.
Properties
Barium has several notable properties that determine its uses. It has an atomic number of 56 and an atomic mass of 137.33 u. Barium is relatively dense, with a density of 3.62 g/cm³. It has a melting point of 727 °C and a boiling point of 1, Ba is highly reactive, particularly with oxygen and water, forming barium hydroxide and barium oxide. In its pure form, barium is a soft metal that can be easily cut with a knife. It is also a good conductor of electricity and heat but must be handled with care due to its high reactivity.
Applications and Uses
Barium has a range of important industrial and scientific applications. In the medical field, barium compounds are widely used in diagnostic imaging, particularly in barium sulphate, which is ingested or administered as a suspension to improve the contrast of X-ray images of the gastrointestinal tract. In the manufacturing industry, barium is used in the production of glass, ceramics, and pigments, where it helps to improve the clarity and durability of the products. Barium compounds are also employed as additives in lubricants and in the production of fireworks and pyrotechnics to produce bright green colours.
In the chemical industry, barium is used to produce other barium compounds, such as barium carbonate, which is used in the manufacturing of porcelain and as a flux in the production of steel. Barium nitrate is used in the manufacture of green firework stars and in certain types of explosives. Barium titanate, another important compound, is used in capacitors and as a dielectric material in electronic devices.
Safety and Environmental Impact
Barium and its compounds can be toxic if ingested or inhaled in significant amounts. Barium sulfate, used in medical imaging, is relatively safe due to its insolubility in water, but other barium compounds, such as barium chloride or barium carbonate, require careful handling and proper safety measures to avoid health hazards. Environmental regulations are in place to manage the disposal and release of barium compounds to prevent contamination and adverse effects on ecosystems.
Summary
Barium is a versatile alkaline earth metal with a range of applications in medicine, manufacturing, and chemistry. Its properties, such as high density and reactivity, make it useful for enhancing X-ray imaging, producing high-quality glass and ceramics, and creating vibrant colours in fireworks. Despite its benefits, handling barium requires caution due to its potential toxicity and environmental impact.