Barium Chloride

What is Barium Chloride?

Molecular Formula (Barium Chloride): BaCl₂

Molecular Weight: 208.23 g/mol

Chemical Name: Barium Chloride

CAS Number: 10361-37-2

It is an inorganic salt obtained from Barium and Chlorine. It is one of the most widely used barium compounds worldwide.

The most common barium ore found in nature is Barium Sulfate (BaSO₄). Another name for this chemical substance is barite.

This chemical compound is a heavy substance because the barium element contains 56 protons. Therefore, the density of barium compounds is high.

Other Names are as Follows;

• Barium Dichloride
• BaCl₂
• Solution Form
• Anhydrous Form
• CAS 10361-37-2

How is Barium Chloride Produced?

It is produced from the most common barium source found in nature (Barite) and Hydrochloric Acid (HCl). The most common production worldwide is carried out through this process.

The production reaction is as follows;

BaSO₄ + 2HCl 》BaCl₂ + H₂SO₄

Sulfuric acid is obtained as a byproduct of this production reaction.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

Physically, it is in a colorless monoclinic or cubic crystalline form.

It is in a white form with a shiny appearance at room temperature. It is odorless and has a bitter and salty taste.

It has hygroscopic properties. It absorbs moisture in environments where water is present.

Upon heating, it loses its water of crystallization at 113 °C, and the anhydrous form is produced.

It has toxic properties.

Boiling point is 1560 °C.

Melting point is 960 °C.

Solubility: Highly soluble in water.

Its solubility in water is observed as 37.0 g/100 g water at 25 °C. Solubility increases as the temperature of the solvent increases. In another perspective, it does not dissolve in ethanol, acetone, and ether. Its solubility in Sulfuric acid is very low. Its solubility in Hydrochloric acid is low.

Its density is 3.9 g/cm³.

What are the Usage Areas of Barium Chloride?

• Among its most intensive usage areas is water softening. It ensures the reduction of water hardness by binding the metal ions present in the water.
• Certain properties are required for shaping metals through heat treatment. It is used to provide these properties. In this sector, it is used in the hardening of steel.
• Used in the production of Barium Chromate and Barium Fluoride.
• Used in the manufacture of fireworks to provide a bright green color.
• In the chemical industry, its effect on the purification of brine solutions in caustic-chlorine plants is utilized.
• It is an important component in leather tanning and leather finishing processes.
• Used in weighting and dyeing processes in the manufacture of textile fabrics.
• It can be used as a mordant for some dyes.
• Used in the processing of wool found in mattresses.
• It is used in the suppression of uranium and plutonium fires.

What are the Factors Affecting Its Prices?

The price of this Barium compound is directly dependent on the manufacture of the chemical substances used in its production. As the prices of hydrochloric acid and barite increase, the prices will also increase.

Prices are directly dependent on the stocks of companies that sell barium chloride. As stocks increase, prices will experience short-term declines.

Prices are directly dependent on its usage areas. As usage areas increase, if the supply becomes insufficient to meet the demand, the prices increase.