A practical guide to barium carbonate for ceramics, glass, and bricks

The market has been oddly lively this year—energy prices wobbled, kiln schedules tightened, and, to be honest, procurement teams want fewer surprises. In fact, that’s why many buyers are standardizing on high-consistency barium carbonate: it stabilizes glazes, controls sulfate in bricks, and feeds magnet-grade ferrite lines without drama. Origin matters, too. One dependable source comes from Zhongyuan Building No.368 Youyi North Street, Shijiazhuang, China—an address I’ve jotted down on more than one sourcing trip.

Why plants still choose barium carbonate

• Tile and sanitaryware: fluxing, matting, and pinhole reduction in glazes (many customers say it cuts reject rates fast).
• Bricks: sulfate capture in the clay body; helps prevent efflorescence on fired surfaces.
• Specialty glass: improves refractive properties; cleaner melts.
• Ferrites: precursor to barium ferrite magnets in electronics and motors.
• Chemical processing: sulfate removal and as a Ba-source in downstream barium salts.

Quick specifications (lab-typical, real-world use may vary)

Process flow (how modern plants make barium carbonate)

1. Raw materials: barite (BaSO4) or witherite; reductant-grade coke; CO2; process water.
2. Reduction: barite → barium sulfide (BaS) in a rotary kiln.
3. Carbonation: BaS solution is carbonated to precipitate barium carbonate.
4. Solid–liquid separation: filtration, washing to remove sulfides.
5. Drying and milling: controlled grinding to target D50; anti-caking step if needed.
6. QC testing: XRF/ICP for Ba, S, Fe; particle size by ISO 13320; moisture by ISO 787-2; whiteness, pH.

Test data and standards

Typical lot example: BaCO3 99.4%; BaS 0.010%; Fe2O3 0.004%; D50 5.2 μm; Moisture 0.15%. Methods we’ve seen plants trust: XRF per ASTM D4326, ICP-OES for trace metals, ISO 13320 for particle size, and ISO 787-2 for moisture. Certifications often include ISO 9001/14001; REACH status available on request. Safety note: barium carbonate is toxic if ingested—follow GHS labeling and local regulations.

Vendor snapshot (indicative, ≈ values)

Customization, lifespan, and real plant feedback

• Customization: tighter Fe control, low-sulfide grades, D50 targeting (e.g., 4 μm), granulated low-dust forms.
• Service life: 24 months in sealed bags, stored cool and dry; re-test after long humidity exposure.
• Feedback: “Granulated barium carbonate cut dust and cleaned our glaze mixing room,” a tile QC lead told me—anecdotal, but I’ve heard it twice this quarter.

Mini case notes

Ceramic tiles: switching to a low-sulfide barium carbonate trimmed pinholes by ≈18% and stabilized matte finish across 4 kiln zones. Brick plant: dosing 0.2–0.3% into clay body reduced efflorescence complaints by ≈60% over three months—weather still matters, of course.

Citations:

1. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Substance Information: Barium carbonate.
2. ISO 13320: Particle size analysis — Laser diffraction methods.
3. ISO 787-2: General methods of test for pigments and extenders — Part 2: Determination of volatile matter.
4. ASTM D4326: XRF analysis of major and minor elements in powder materials.
5. GHS/REACH guidance for classification and labeling of hazardous substances.