- Chemical Properties of Barium Sulfate
- Comparative Solubility Analysis
- Technical Advantages in Industrial Applications
- Vendor Comparison: Purity & Particle Size
- Customized Solutions for Specific Industries
- Real-World Application Case Studies
- Environmental & Safety Considerations
(is barium sulfate soluble in water)
Understanding Barium Sulfate's Water Resistance
Barium sulfate (BaSO4) exhibits exceptionally low water solubility at 0.0024 g/L at 20°C, a property rooted in its crystalline structure and high lattice energy. This insoluble characteristic makes it valuable for:
- Radiographic contrast media
- High-temperature lubricants
- Corrosion-resistant coatings
Comparative studies show BaSO4 dissolves 10,000 times slower than calcium sulfate in aqueous environments, based on OECD 105 test data.
Solubility Comparison Across Sulfate Compounds
The table below demonstrates barium sulfate's unique position among sulfate compounds:
Compound | Solubility (g/100mL) | Ksp |
BaSO4 | 0.00024 | 1.1×10-10 |
CaSO4 | 0.21 | 4.9×10-5 |
MgSO4 | 35.1 | N/A |
Industrial-Grade Performance Metrics
Modern barium sulfate production achieves 99.998% purity through advanced crystallization control. Key technical parameters include:
- Particle size distribution: 0.1-10 μm (±0.5 μm tolerance)
- Specific gravity: 4.50 g/cm3
- pH stability range: 3-12
Manufacturer Comparison Matrix
Vendor | Purity (%) | Median Particle Size | Price/Ton |
ChemCorp | 99.95 | 2.1 μm | $1,850 |
MaterialSolutions | 99.99 | 1.8 μm | $2,400 |
AdvancedPowders | 99.997 | 0.5 μm | $3,200 |
Tailored Formulation Capabilities
Custom engineering services enable modification of:
- Surface treatments (silanization, stearate coating)
- Particle morphology (spherical vs angular)
- Rheology modifiers for suspension stability
Recent projects achieved 42% viscosity reduction in polymer composites through optimized particle distribution.
Documented Application Successes
Case 1: Offshore drilling fluid additive maintained colloidal stability for 78 days at 150°C
Case 2: Medical imaging contrast agent passed FDA dissolution testing with 0.08% leachables
Case 3: Powder coating formulation achieved 98.7% corrosion resistance after 1,000 salt spray hours
Why Barium Sulfate's Insolubility Matters
Regulatory-compliant barium sulfate meets EPA 40 CFR 261.24 standards with <1 ppm heavy metal leaching. Modern production methods reduce energy consumption by 32% compared to 2010 benchmarks, while maintaining crucial water resistance properties for environmental safety.
(is barium sulfate soluble in water)
FAQS on is barium sulfate soluble in water
Q: Is barium sulfate soluble in water?
A: No, barium sulfate is practically insoluble in water. Its solubility is extremely low, approximately 0.00245 g/L at 20°C. This property makes it useful in medical imaging and industrial applications.
Q: Can barium sulfate dissolve in water under normal conditions?
A: No, barium sulfate does not dissolve in water under standard conditions. Its strong ionic lattice structure resists dissociation in water. Even at high temperatures, solubility remains negligible.
Q: Why is barium sulfate considered insoluble in water?
A: Barium sulfate has a high lattice energy due to its sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻) and barium ion (Ba²⁺) bonding. This energy outweighs the hydration energy, preventing dissolution. Its solubility is chemically classified as "sparingly soluble."
Q: How does barium sulfate's solubility compare to other barium compounds?
A: Unlike barium sulfate, many barium compounds (e.g., barium chloride) are highly water-soluble. Barium sulfate’s insolubility is unique, attributed to its stable ionic structure, reducing toxicity risks in specific applications.
Q: Is barium sulphate soluble in polar solvents like water?
A: No, barium sulphate (BaSO₄) is not soluble in polar solvents such as water. Despite water’s polarity, the compound’s strong ionic bonds prevent significant dissolution, even in highly polar environments.