There are two main forms of barium sulfate powder material on the market: natural barium sulfate and precipitated barium sulfate. But what is the difference between the two? Let’s uncover the secrets!
1. Ingredients: Natural and Precipitated
Natural barium sulfate is obtained by the physical grinding of barite ore. Barite ore is a mineral with the chemical composition BaSO4. Belongs to the orthorhombic (or monoclinic) crystal system. Usually in the form of thick flakes or columnar crystals. There are dense massive or granular aggregates. When pure, it is colorless and transparent. But impurities impart various colors. It is characterized by white streaks and a glassy to semi-glassy luster. Has complete three-way cleavage. The angle is at or near 90°. Natural barium sulfate is insoluble in water, ethanol, and hydrochloric acid. It is acid and alkali-resistant.
Precipitated barium sulfate is chemically synthesized and precipitated. Produces white, amorphous powder or paste. It is almost insoluble in water. The solubility in water is only 0.0024g/100g. But it dissolves in concentrated sulfuric acid when heated. It is also insoluble in ethanol and dilute acids and tends to clump when drying. It should be noted that industrially precipitated barium sulfate itself is non-toxic. However, it can be harmful if it contains soluble barium compounds.
2. Varying Barium Sulfate Content
One significant distinction between the two lies in their barium sulfate content. Natural barium sulfate, depending on the source of barite ore and the mining region, can exhibit widely varying and unstable barium sulfate content. In most cases, it contains less than 80% barium sulfate.
In contrast, precipitated barium sulfate has features of its chemical synthesis and precipitation processes. It can achieve a high barium sulfate content of up to 99%. This high purity makes it suitable for various high-end applications. We can find it in water-based coatings, automotive coatings, electronic inks, and more.
3. Differing Fineness Levels
In the world of powder materials, fineness is measured using a unit called “AIM,” where more AIM indicates finer particles. Therefore, the market offers barium sulfate with a range of fineness levels, from 300 AIM (usually natural) to 12,500 AIM. Precipitated barium sulfate, typically, has a fineness level of 10,000 AIM or higher.
4. Distinct Manufacturing Processes
The production processes of natural and precipitated barium sulfate also set them apart. Natural ultra-fine super-white barium sulfate is typically obtained through mechanical wet milling. The process involves batching, wet grinding, pressure filtration, drying, grinding, and packaging.
In contrast, precipitated barium sulfate is produced through chemical precipitation methods. There are two methods to get: the nitrate method or the sulfuric acid method. The nitrate method involves converting barium sulfide into barium sulfate by reacting it with sodium nitrate. The sulfuric acid method transforms barium sulfide into barium carbonate with carbon dioxide. Then it is followed by precipitation with pure sulfuric acid.
5. Difference in price
Significant differences in production costs lead to differences in market prices. Natural barium sulfate has the characteristics of a simple production process and high yield. The price is relatively affordable. The market price is about CNY 1,500/ton.
Precipitated barium sulfate is produced through a complex process. Including calcination, synthesis, extraction, precipitation, and flash evaporation. It consumes a lot of electricity, coal, barium chloride, barite, and other raw materials. Resulting in higher production costs. At present, there are only a few manufacturers capable of producing precipitated barium sulfate.
6. Diverse application areas
Natural barium sulfate is mainly used in areas where the requirements for content, fineness, pH value, dispersion, whiteness, and oil absorption are not strict. These include applications in common coatings and common plastics. and as a weighting agent in oil and gas drilling muds. Also used in the production of lithopone. It also can be used as an X-ray shielding agent in medical treatment, the nuclear industry, vehicle braking materials, strapping tapes, high-end paints, hospital radiation-proof lead walls, etc.
Precipitated barium sulfate is used in various high-end fine chemical products. Including water-based coatings, automotive coatings, electronic inks, and other advanced uses. It is used as a raw material or filler in paints, coatings, inks, plastics, rubber, and batteries. It is also used as a coating agent for art paper and coated paper, a sizing agent in the textile industry, a clarifier for glass products, a defoaming agent, and a gloss enhancer. In addition, it is used in radiation shielding materials, porcelain, enamels, and dyes. It is a raw material for the production of other barium salts.
Natural barium sulfate and precipitated barium sulfate may seem similar at first glance. They are fundamentally distinct due to their origin, purity, fineness, production methods, price, and applications. Understanding these differences is crucial for selecting the appropriate type for specific industrial and commercial needs. Both forms have their unique strengths and applications. They all contribute to their importance in various industries.
