Element Category: Alkaline Earth Metals
Barium is a malleable, silvery metal that quickly oxidizes when exposed to air and reacts with water. It is not commonly utilized in many applications. The majority of its usage is found in drilling fluids for oil and gas wells. Additionally, barium is used in the production of paint and glass.
While all barium compounds are toxic, barium sulfate is insoluble and can be ingested safely. A suspension of barium sulfate is occasionally administered to patients with digestive disorders, known as a 'barium meal' or 'barium enema'. Barium's high atomic weight allows it to scatter X-rays, enabling clear visualization of the stomach and intestines in X-ray imaging.
Historically, barium carbonate was used as a rat poison, and barium nitrate is known for giving fireworks their green color.
Stanford Advanced Materials (SAM) offers a variety of barium products, including:
- Barium Fluoride (BaF2) Powder
- Barium Chromate (BaCrO4) Powder
- Barium Carbonate (BaCO3) Powder
- Barium Sulfate (BaSO4) Powder
Key Features of Barium:
- Chemical Reactivity: Barium shows high chemical reactivity, forming compounds essential for numerous industrial processes and applications.
- X-ray Absorption: Barium's X-ray absorption capability makes it vital in medical imaging as contrast agents.
- Electron Emission: Barium materials are crucial in electronic devices for their electron emission properties when heated, particularly in vacuum tubes.
- Desiccant Properties: Barium oxide acts as a powerful desiccant, absorbing moisture and water vapor, useful in drying applications.
- Oil Exploration: Barium sulfate is integral in drilling fluids, helping maintain wellbore stability and preventing blowouts in oil and gas exploration.
Applications of Barium:
- Medical Imaging: Barium compounds are used in X-ray procedures to enhance contrast and visibility in gastrointestinal and other medical imaging.
- Electronics: Barium materials contribute to vacuum tubes, cathode-ray tubes, and electronic displays due to their electron emission properties.
- Glass and Ceramics: Barium compounds enhance the properties of glass and ceramics, improving their optical qualities and lowering melting temperatures.
- Desiccants: Barium oxide serves as a desiccant in air conditioning systems and as a drying agent for organic compounds.
- Oil and Gas Industry: Barium sulfate stabilizes wellbores and prevents unwanted fluid influx in drilling operations.
Quality Assurance:
Our barium products are sourced from reputable suppliers committed to quality and innovation. Each product undergoes stringent quality checks to meet the highest industry standards.
