Barium and Barium Compounds

Abstract

The article contains sections titled: 1. Barium Metal 1.1. Physical Properties 1.2. Chemical Properties 1.3. Production 1.4. Chemical Analysis 1.5. Transportation, Storage, Safety 1.6. Uses 1.7. Economic Aspects 2. Barium Compounds 2.1. Barium Sulfate 2.1.1. Properties 2.1.2. Barite 2.1.3. Blanc Fixe 2.2. Barium Sulfide and Polysulfides 2.3. Barium Carbonate 2.4. Barium Chlorate 2.5. Barium Chloride 2.6. Barium Ferrite 2.7. Barium Oxide 2.8. Barium Peroxide 2.9. Barium Hydroxide 2.10. Barium Nitrate 2.11. Barium Titanate 2.12. Barium Salts of Organic Acids 3. Barium in the Environment 4. Dietary Intake of Barium 5. Toxicology The history, production, analysis, and uses of barium and barium compounds are described. Barite (barium sulfate) is the most important barium compound. Most of its use is in drilling fluids for crude oil and natural gas exploration. Use of pure barium sulfate is, e.g., as a filler and extender and as a contrast agent in X-ray diagnosis. Barium carbonates are mainly used to remove sulfate ion impurities and to introduce barium oxide into special fine glassware such as cathode tube television screens. The production pathway of barium and barium compounds typically starts from barite. Volatile barium compounds impart a pale green color to flames, and this is an effective, simple qualitative test for barium.