Barium Sulfate, Barium Sulphate, Baryte, Barite, E171, 7727-43-7

BARIUM SULFATE (BaSO₄)

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE

        O
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    Ba²⁺ — O—S—O⁻
             ||
             O

    Barium Sulfate (BaSO₄)
    Ionic Structure
    (Orthorhombic Crystal System)

Molecular Formula: BaSO₄
SMILES: [Ba+2].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-]
InChI: InChI=1S/Ba.H2O4S/c;1-5(2,3)4/h;(H2,1,2,3,4)/q+2;/p-2
Crystal System: Orthorhombic (Natural barite)
Synonyms: Barium Sulphate, Baryte, Barite, Blanc Fixe, Artificial Barite, C.I. Pigment White 21, Baritop, Barytes

SECTION 1: CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND DEFINITION

SECTION 2: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

SECTION 3: CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND REACTIVITY

SECTION 4: COMPARISON OF COMMON BARIUM COMPOUNDS

SECTION 5: PRODUCTION METHODS

Method 1: Precipitation Method (From Barium Chloride and Sodium Sulfate)

• Reaction: BaCl₂ + Na₂SO₄ → BaSO₄↓ + 2NaCl

• Description: Barium chloride dihydrate is dissolved in hot water; Sulfuric acid or sodium sulfate solution is heated and slowly added; The barium sulfate precipitate is formed; After standing, the precipitate is washed with hot water (5-6 times by decantation); Filtered with a Buchner funnel, washed and dried; Dried product is refined to obtain pure barium sulfate (Blanc Fixe)

Method 2: Mirabilite - Black Ash Method (Industrial Production)

• Reaction: BaSO₄ + 4C → BaS + 4CO (black ash formation); BaS + Na₂SO₄ → BaSO₄↓ + Na₂S

• Description: Barite is reacted with pulverized coal to form barium sulfide (black ash); The black ash leaching solution is clarified to prepare barium sulfide solution (14-17% concentration) and heated to 80°C; After removal of calcium and magnesium, mirabilite solution (22-25%) is prepared and heated to 90°C; Barium sulfide solution is added to the mirabilite under stirring at 90°C; Barium sulfate precipitate is formed; After filtration, washing, acid washing (pH 5-6 with sulfuric acid), drying, and crushing, precipitated barium sulfate product is obtained

Method 3: Brine - Sodium Sulfate Method

• Reaction: BaCl₂ + Na₂SO₄ → BaSO₄↓ + 2NaCl

• Description: Barium chloride (from brine) is reacted with sodium sulfate; Acid-boiling, washing with water, separation, dehydration, and drying yield barium sulfate product

Method 4: Mining and Beneficiation (Natural Barite)

• Process: Mining (open-pit or underground) → Crushing → Beneficiation (hand separation, gravity separation, magnetic separation, flotation) → Milling → Classifying → Barite product

• Description: Natural barite ore is mined and processed through beneficiation methods; Open-pit mining for residual slope deposits; Underground mining for primary mines; Main beneficiation methods: hand separation, gravity separation, magnetic separation, and flotation

Method 5: Sulfuric Acid Precipitation

• Reaction: Ba(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ → BaSO₄↓ + 2H₂O

• Description: Barium hydroxide is reacted with sulfuric acid to form barium sulfate precipitate; Used for specialized high-purity applications

SECTION 6: FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES AND MECHANISM OF ACTION

SECTION 7: MAIN APPLICATION AREAS

SECTION 8: QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS

Barium Sulfate - Precipitated (Blanc Fixe) Specifications

Natural Barite Specifications (Drilling Grade)

Medical Grade Barium Sulfate Specifications

Paint / Pigment Grade Specifications

SECTION 9: TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE

SECTION 10: GHS CLASSIFICATION AND LABELING

GHS Classification (Compliant with CLP and UN GHS):

Note: Barium sulfate is generally considered non-hazardous and non-toxic due to its insolubility. However, dust may cause mechanical irritation.

Signal Word: WARNING (optional, based on dust irritation)

Hazard Pictograms: GHS07 (optional)

Hazard Statements (H-Codes) - if classified:

Note: In many regions, Barium Sulfate is not classified as hazardous under GHS, but fine dust should still be handled with care.

NFPA 704 Hazard Classification:

SECTION 11: PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS (P-CODES)

SECTION 12: FIRST AID MEASURES

SECTION 13: FIREFIGHTING MEASURES

SECTION 14: STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

SECTION 15: PACKAGING OPTIONS

SECTION 16: TRANSPORT INFORMATION

SECTION 17: REGULATORY STATUS

SECTION 18: OTHER NAMES AND SYNONYMS

SECTION 19: SUMMARY TABLE

SECTION 20: CRITICAL WARNINGS AND BEST PRACTICES

CRITICAL WARNINGS:

• Non-hazardous material but fine dust may cause mechanical irritation to eyes and respiratory tract. Use appropriate dust control measures.

• Non-combustible. Does not burn. Stable at high temperatures.

• Avoid inhalation of fine dust. Use dust extraction systems in handling areas.

• The only non-toxic barium salt due to its insolubility. However, must be pure and contain NO soluble barium compounds (e.g., BaCl₂) which are highly toxic.

• Incompatibilities: Keep away from aluminum (explosive reaction), phosphorus, reducing agents, and carbon (at high temperature).

• Slightly hygroscopic. Protect from moisture.

• Medical Use: Must meet pharmacopoeia purity requirements (USP, Ph.Eur.). Must contain no soluble barium salts. Contraindicated in acute gastrointestinal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, acute gastroenteritis, congenital esophageal atresia, esophageal tracheal fistula.

• Natural barite may contain impurities. Beneficiation required for specific applications.

• Prolonged inhalation may cause baritosis (benign pneumoconiosis). Use appropriate respiratory protection.

BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Oil & Gas Drilling: Use as weighting agent for drilling mud; Increases mud density; Controls formation pressure; Barite consumption represents ~80% of global production; Requires high specific gravity (≥4.2 g/cm³) and 325 mesh fineness; Standard API-13A specifications apply.

• Medical / Radiology: Use as radiocontrast agent (barium meal); Must meet pharmacopoeia specifications (USP, Ph.Eur.); Must contain NO soluble barium salts; Available as powder, suspension, or paste; Ideal for gastrointestinal imaging (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, colon); Patients must fast 6-12 hours before oral barium examination; Contraindicated in acute gastrointestinal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, acute gastroenteritis, esophageal tracheal fistula, congenital esophageal atresia.

• Paints & Coatings: Use as white pigment and extender; Provides opacity, brightness, and chemical inertness; Excellent lightfastness; Used in industrial coatings, primers, undercoats.

• Paper Industry: Use as coating pigment for printing and coated paper; Provides smoothness, opacity, and brightness; Improves printability and paper quality.

• Plastics & Rubber: Use as filler and reinforcing agent; Improves dimensional stability; Reduces material cost; Imparts chemical resistance and dimensional stability.

• Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas; Use dust extraction systems; Wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and respiratory protection when handling powder; Avoid dust generation.

• Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, protective clothing (dust-resistant), NIOSH-approved dust mask/respirator, protective gloves (nitrile, neoprene).

• Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using; Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.

• Storage: Store in tightly closed, properly labeled containers in dry conditions; Keep away from aluminum, phosphorus, and reducing agents; Moisture-proof containers recommended.

• Spill Response: Avoid dust generation; Use dust extraction systems; Vacuum or wet-sweep; Place in closed containers for disposal; Do not use dry sweeping methods that generate dust.

• Disposal: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; Barium sulfate is considered non-hazardous waste; Recycle where possible; Do not discharge into sewers or water sources.

SPECIAL NOTE ON MEDICAL APPLICATION (BARIUM MEAL):

Barium sulfate is the only non-toxic barium salt and is widely used in medical imaging:

• Pharmacokinetics: Not absorbed after oral administration or GI infusion; Non-irritating, non-toxic; Does not affect GI function; Excretion time similar to food transit time

• Indications: Single and double-contrast examination of esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, colon; Bronchography (mucilage suspension)

• Contraindications: Acute GI perforation; GI bleeding; Acute gastroenteritis; Esophageal tracheal fistula; Congenital esophageal atresia

• Precautions: Must not contain soluble barium salts (highly toxic); Patients fast 6-12 hours before; Pyloric obstruction patients require gastric lavage; Avoid drugs with high atomic weight (bismuth, calcium) 3 days before examination

SPECIAL NOTE ON BARITOSIS (PNEUMOCONIOSIS):

• Cause: Prolonged inhalation of barium sulfate dust

• Symptoms: Chest tightness, chest pain, cough

• Nature: Benign pneumoconiosis (no significant fibrosis)

• Prevention: Use respiratory protection; Ensure workplace ventilation; Regular medical surveillance

• Occupational Exposure Limits: TWA 5 mg/m³ (ACGIH); TWA 15 mg/m³ (OSHA - total dust); TWA 5 mg/m³ (OSHA - respirable)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

The information provided in this document is based on our current knowledge and experience and is presented in good faith. However, as all conditions of use are beyond our control, this document does not constitute a binding specification or warranty. This Technical Data Sheet is for informational purposes only. Users are responsible for testing suitability for their own applications. For complete safety, storage, handling, transportation, waste, and regulatory compliance information, please refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier.