Features of Strontium Carbonate

Strontium carbonate (SrCO3) is the carbonate salt of strontium that has the appearance of a white or grey powder. It occurs in nature as the mineral strontianite.

Strontium carbonate is a white, odorless, tasteless powder. Being a carbonate, it is a weak base and therefore is reactive with acids. It is otherwise stable and safe to work with. It is practically insoluble in water (1 part in 100,000). The solubility is increased significantly if the water is saturated with carbon dioxide, to 1 part in 1,000. It is soluble in dilute acids.

Properties and Applications

Strontium carbonate, whose chemical formula is SrCO3, is a fine, white powder whose properties are similar to those of calcium carbonate (lime). SrCO3 is very little soluble in water; it dissolves in acids, for example in hydrochloric acid, developing carbon dioxide as follows: SrCO3 + 2 HCl -> SrCl2 + H2O + CO2. Strontium is in the group of the alkaline earth metals. It is non-toxic just like calcium, which is in the same group. The chemical similarity of strontium and calcium, however, accounts for the fact that the radioactive strontium isotopes that formed during the Chernobyl reactor accident have been able to deposit in the bones to trigger cancer.

Strontium carbonate, among other things, is used for manufacturing ferrite magnets that serve to extract strontium ferrite. Its main application is the production of glass for cathode ray tubes, better known as (color) television tubes. Since strontium carbonate has a relatively large atomic radius, it absorbs the X-radiation that occurs in the tubes. Through addition of SrCO3 and other compounds, the X-radiation disappears almost completely. It is due to today’s LCD and plasma screens, however, that the production of cathode ray tubes is more and more decreasing. Strontium carbonate is also used in glazings. Pyrotechnics rely on the chromophoric salts of strontium to give flames their crimson color.






The most common use is as an inexpensive colorant in fireworks. Strontium and its salts emit a dazzling red in the flame. Unlike other strontium salts, carbonate salts are generally favored due to their cost and the fact that they are not hygroscopic. Its ability to neutralize acid is also very helpful in fireworks. Another similar application is road flares.

Strontium carbonate is used in electronic applications. Used in the manufacture of color television receivers (ctv), which absorb electrons from the cathode.

It is used to prepare iridescent glass, luminous paint, strontium oxide, strontium salt, refined sugar and certain drugs.

It is widely used as a raw material for glazes in the ceramic industry. It is a flux and can also modify the color of certain metal oxides. It has some properties similar to barium carbonate.

In medicine, strontium was formerly used sometimes to treat schizophrenia. Today, the substance is used as homeopathic “strontium carbonicum” to treat e.g., arthrosis and cerebral sclerosis.
Strontium carbonate is not self-inflammable as nanometer-sized powder. Also as a mixture with air (dust) under the influence of an ignition source, it is not inflammable, so there is no possibility of a dust explosion.


Occurrence

Strontium carbonate occurs in nature as the mineral strontianite which is one of the main sources for the exploitation of strontium. Strontianite is extracted both in open cast and underground mining. Strontium is named after the mineral strontianite which, in turn, is named after the location of Strontian, Scotland, where the first strontium mineral was discovered.



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