Precipitated barium sulphate is a common chemically synthetic filler applied to polymeric raw materials, which can enhance the physical and chemical properties of products and reduce costs. Precipitated barium sulphate is a standard product with finer particle size, higher whiteness and purity, and greater stability than natural barite powder. Read the blog to learn about its preparation, characteristics, and applications.
Preparation of Precipitated Barium Sulphate
Precipitated barium sulphate is a white amorphous powder with a relative density of 4.50 (15 ℃) and a melting point of 1,580 ℃. Due to its high refractive index (1.63 to 1.65), it exhibits a white color and has a certain opacity. It is almost insoluble in water, ethanol, and acid, but can dissolve in hot sulfuric acid. It is easily made into mixed crystals with potassium permanganate, calcium carbonate, or metal nitrate. It can be reduced to barium sulfide with carbon at high temperatures.
The production process of precipitated barium sulphate is mainly mannite method and sulfuric acid method at present. Mannite method is the natural barite ore and coal calcine into barium sulfide, and the sulfide reacts with mannite (sodium sulphate) to produce precipitated barium sulphate and by-product sodium sulfide. (BaS + Na2SO4 → BaSO4↓ + Na2S)
The sulfuric acid method converts barium sulfide to barium carbonate by reacting with carbon dioxide, and the barium carbonate reacts with pure sulfuric acid to produce the precipitated barium sulphate. (BaCO3 + H2SO4 → BaSO4↓ + H2O + CO2)
In the sulfuric acid method, the free barium, odor (residual sulfur ions), impurities, and black spots of precipitated barium sulphate are much less than in mannite method. Its whiteness and cost are also much higher, which makes it the most expensive precipitated barium sulphate on the market.
Related Reading: Production Methods Of Precipitated Barium Sulphate
Advantages of Precipitated Barium Sulphate
Due to the different processing methods, precipitated barium sulfate has more advantages in physical and chemical properties compared with barite powder (natural barium sulphate).
Purity: The purity of natural barium sulphate generally depends on the barite in the mine, which may contain certain impurities. Precipitated barium sulphate is chemically synthesized to remove a wide range of impurities. The BaSO4 content can reach 99% after extraction and precipitation treatments.
Whiteness: Because it contains almost no impurities, the whiteness is higher than natural barium sulfate. So it can be used as the filler of pure white powder coating, and the finish glossiness can reach 95 degrees.
Particle size control: Natural barium sulphate is processed by physical grinding, the particle size of which is ranging from 200 to 6,000 mesh. While precipitated barium sulphate has a higher fineness of about 10000 mesh or more, and its particle size distribution is very uniform.
Application areas: Natural barium sulphate is usually used in industries that don’t require much high performances in BaSO4 content, fineness, PH value, dispersion, whiteness, or oil absorption, such as ordinary paints and plastics. Precipitated barium sulphate can be used as filler for more high-end fine chemical products, including water-based coatings, automotive coatings, electronic ink, etc.
8 Applications of Precipitated Barium Sulphate
- Coating grade (TL): Precipitated barium sulphate for coatings is used for white body pigment and all kinds of water-based paints, oil-based paints, resin industrial coatings, primers, protective paints, etc.
- Plastic grade (SL): Filler for PP, PA, PVC, PE, PS and polyester plastics.
- Rubber grade (AJ): High gloss barium sulphate is used as filler for rubber and anti-adhesive agents for rubber products.
- Paper grade (ZZ): Filler for all kinds of paper, cardboard, and wood asphalt control agent.
- Cable grade (DL): Used as cable rubber enhancer and cable isolator.
- Ceramic grade (TC): Used in the manufacture of electric porcelain, radio porcelain, industrial ceramics, architectural ceramics, daily-use ceramics, porcelain glaze, etc.
- Waterproof material grade (FS): Used in the making of waterproofing membrane, waterproof coating, waterproofing ointment, etc.
- Superfine barium sulphate: Filler in advanced coating, plastic, cable rubber, cosmetics, copper plate paper coating, textile lubricant, etc.
Related Reading: Precipitated Barium Sulphate in Coatings: Applications and Developing Trend
Hoyonn Precipitated Barium Sulphate
Hoyonn Precipitated Barium Sulphate (HY-PBS) is a barium sulphate product produced by the mannite method with a purity of 98.8%. Our precipitated barium is one of the most popular type among overseas customers and is often used as a filler in the powder coating industry. Click here to learn more about its technical index. Contact us for a quote, or ask us to provide you with professional advice and free samples.
