Strontium sulfate 

Strontium sulfate
IUPAC name Strontium Sulfate
Identifiers
CAS number 7759-02-6
Properties
Molecular formula SrSO4
Molar mass 183.68 g/mol
Appearance White or Grey powder
Odor Odorless
Density 3.96 g/cm3
Melting point

1605 °C, 1878 K, 2921 °F

Boiling point

- (Decomposition)

Solubility in water Ksp = 3.8E-7
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS data
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Infobox references

Strontium sulfate (SrSO4) is the sulfate salt of strontium. It is a white, odorless, crystalline powder. It occurs in nature as the mineral celestine.

Chemical Properties

It is soluble in water to the extent of 1 part in 8,800. It is more soluble in dilute HCl and nitric acid and appreciably soluble in alkali chloride solutions (e.g. sodium chloride).

Occurrence in Biology

Crystallized strontium sulfate is utilized by a small group of radiolarian protozoa, called the Acantharea, as a main constituent of their skeleton.

Uses

Like many strontium compounds, strontium sulfate will produce a bright red flame when burned. For this reason it is used in pyrotechnics. The primary difference is that because of the sulfate ion this compound can be used as a high-temperature oxidizer. Thus the oxidizing function will not activate till certain heat levels. These heat levels are commonly found in thermite mixtures, which are mixtures of a metallic fuel, usually magnesium or aluminum, and an oxidizer. It is also used in ceramics.

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