Overview
The barium series encompasses various compounds derived from barium (Ba), a Group 2 alkaline earth metal. These compounds exhibit diverse properties due to differences in anions (e.g., sulfate, carbonate, nitrate). Industrially significant since the 19th century, barium compounds are valued for their density, chemical reactivity, and radiation-blocking capabilities. Barium sulfate (barite) is the most commercially important due to its inertness, while barium carbonate and nitrate find use in specialty applications. Global production exceeds 8 million tons annually, with China being a leading producer. Regulatory oversight exists for food/medical applications due to toxicity concerns.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Barium compounds display characteristic high densities (4–5 g/cm³), with barium sulfate being exceptionally inert and stable up to 1,580°C. In contrast, barium carbonate decomposes at 1,300°C, releasing CO₂. Solubility varies dramatically—barium sulfate is water-insoluble, making it ideal for drilling fluids, while barium nitrate's high solubility suits pyrotechnics. Chemically, barium ions (Ba²⁺) form white precipitates with sulfate and carbonate ions. All soluble barium compounds are toxic, reacting with stomach acid to form absorbable Ba²⁺. This necessitates strict handling protocols, especially for powder forms where inhalation risks exist.
Main Applications
Approximately 80% of barium sulfate (barite) is consumed by the petroleum industry as a weighting agent in drilling fluids, preventing blowouts. In healthcare, purified barium sulfate suspensions are used as radiocontrast agents for GI imaging due to X-ray opacity. Barium carbonate serves as a rat poison and flux in ceramics, while barium nitrate powers green flares in fireworks. Specialty glass formulations incorporate barium to increase refractive index. Emerging uses include battery materials and wastewater treatment, though these niches represent <5% of total demand.
Safety and Storage
Barium compounds require hazard-specific storage: insoluble forms (e.g., sulfate) in general warehouses, soluble types (e.g., nitrate) in chemical cabinets with acid separation. OSHA PEL for soluble barium is 0.5 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA). Spills require vacuum collection—never dry sweeping. Medical surveillance is recommended for workers handling soluble compounds. First aid involves oral calcium gluconate to compete with Ba²⁺ absorption. Environmental releases must be reported due to aquatic toxicity (LC50 <10 mg/L for fish).
B2B Procurement Guide
Industrial buyers should prioritize: 1) Purity specifications (e.g., API-grade barite requires >90% BaSO₄), 2) Packaging (25kg bags with inner liners for hygroscopic grades), 3) Supplier audits for heavy metal compliance (Pb/Cd limits in EU REACH). Spot prices fluctuate with oilfield activity—long-term contracts recommended for stable demand. Asian suppliers dominate barite, while European producers lead medical-grade barium. Always request batch-specific CoA and SDS, verifying test methods (ASTM D1199 for barite).
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：铁粉、四氧化三铁粉、洗煤厂用介质粉磁粉、钡铁氧体、还原铁粉、一次还原铁粉、二次还原铁粉、钕铁硼磁粉、纸浆蛋托、超细还原铁粉、生铁粉、发热铁粉、配重铁砂、雾化铁粉、水处理磁粉、洗煤厂用介质粉、置换铜铁粉、脱氧剂用铁粉、环保鸡蛋托、可降解防水鸡蛋托、抗压防震鸡蛋托盘、硫化铁、氧化铁、赤铁粉、铸铁粉
- 主营：鲁西辛醇、丙烯酸、丙烯酸异冰片酯、环氧氯丙烷、二乙二醇、二乙二醇甲乙醚、二甲基亚砜、环己胺、N-甲基吡咯烷酮、二氯甲烷、乙二醇二甲醚、丙二醇甲醚醋酸酯、二氯乙烷、苯乙烯、丙烯酸丁酯、甲基丙烯酸、丙烯酸羟乙酯、丙烯酸异辛酯、1.2丙二醇、二辛酯、溶剂油、衣康酸、甲基丙烯酸甲酯、正丁醇
- 主营：片碱、氢氧化钾、柠檬酸、硫酸钡、草酸、醋酸钠、硅藻土、葡萄糖、聚合氯化铝、碳酸钠、碳酸氢钠(小苏打)
- 主营：钛白粉、碳酸钙、铝银浆、硫酸钡、七水硫酸亚铁、颜料、欧米亚碳酸钙、苏达山颜料、钛白粉工厂、重质碳酸钙、龙佰钛白粉、龙蟒钛白粉、攀钢钛白粉、钛白粉 996、上海颜钛、颜钛、颜钛集团
- 主营：增塑剂、二甲基亚砜、顺酐、氢氧化钡、环丁砜、二甲基二硫醚、赋臭剂、四氢噻吩加臭剂、环戊烷、塑化剂、二辛酯、石油醚、异丁醇、氯化苄、叔十二硫醇、硬脂酸钙、树脂涂料、四氢噻吩、化学试剂、国标染料、氯乙酸、硬脂酸锌、乙二醛、异辛烷、橡胶塑料
- 主营：片碱、硅藻土、氢氧化钾、硫酸钡、工业尿素
- 主营：滑石粉、碳酸钙、涂料塑料、硫酸钡、电缆塑料、橡胶塑料、无机阻燃剂、涂料油墨橡胶、氢氧化镁
- 主营：聚苯胺、脯氨酸甲酯盐酸盐、苄基三甲基氯化铵
- 主营：生物质颗粒、防火涂料、膨润土、硫酸钡4000目、云母粉、蛭石、石英砂、碳酸钙、高岭土、重钙、1250目云母粉、萤石粉、莫来砂、铁砂、火山石、夜光石
- 主营：黄丹粉、柠檬酸、导热油、一水氢氧化钡、漂白粉、707乳液、氧化铝、氯化钙、木质素、防腐剂、除锈剂、防锈剂、酒石酸、抗氧剂、松香工业、碳酸氢铵、醋酸铅、碳酸铅
- 主营：气密门、探伤门、铅皮板、硫酸钡、洁净门、铅玻璃、电动铅门、防辐射板、常规尺寸、铅门铅板、防护铅板、重晶石粉、防护铅门、推拉铅门、气密铅门、手术室门、牙科铅板、x光室铅板、脚踏感应门、不锈钢铅门、放射科铅板、防辐射铅板、防幅射铅门、手术室平移门、不锈钢防护门
- 主营：抗氧剂BHT、苯磺酸、苯酚磺酸、测定钡、环烷酸铈、N235 萃取剂、C272萃取剂、均苯四甲酸二酐、对苯乙烯磺酸钠、氟化铝、椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱、甘油三苯甲酸酯
- 主营：石墨管、空心阴极灯、氘灯、安捷伦钡Ba5610100400、元素灯、原子荧光灯、紫外灯、雾化器、雾化室、样品杯、样品管、石墨锥、紫外氘灯、ICP光谱仪、ICP质谱仪、AAS原子吸收
- 主营：低硅铁、硅钙粉、硅钙块、硅钡孕育剂、硅铝钡、硅铝钡钙、铸造用硅钡孕育剂、硅铝钡钙合金、高效硅钡孕育剂、硅铝钡精炼剂、硅钙粒、硅锰合金、硅铁粒1-3mm、球化剂、硅铁粒3-5mm、冶炼硅锰合金、硅铁粒、脱氧剂硅锰块、锰硅合金材料、冶金球化剂、72号硅铁粒、硅锰脱氧合金、硅钙合金颗粒、硅钙合金块、低硅合金铁
- 主营：全氟三丁胺、二苄叉山梨醇、六氟丙烯二聚体、偏磷酸钡、六氟环氧丙烷二聚体、异丙醇铝、纳米勃姆石、二异戊基硫醚、隐色结晶紫、邻菲罗啉