Strontium Carbonate

Strontium carbonate (SrCO3) is a chemical compound with diverse uses in several industries, mainly as a ceramic manufacturing raw material. This inorganic compound is odorless, tasteless, and appears white or grey. It is generally preferred as a cost-effective and non-hygroscopic alternative to other strontium salts. The compound’s unique properties, including its ability to neutralize acids and weak Lewis base characteristics, make it an essential ingredient in various manufacturing processes. Strontium carbonate finds application in the pyrotechnic, electronic, and ceramics industries. It is also involved in producing luminous paint, iridescent glass, strontium oxide, and strontium salts. Its role as a magnet manufacturing raw material for loudspeakers and door magnets and in making electroluminescent materials is also significant.

Iran Celestine Co. is an industry leader in the production of Iran strontium carbonate and a powerful strontium carbonate supplier. The company has more than 40 years of experience in the extraction and manufacturing of raw materials, including celestite production from mines in Ahvaz, Semnan, and Ilam provinces. With an annual production capacity of over 100,000 tons of celestite and 50,000 tons of strontium carbonate, Iran Celestine Co. is known for providing high-quality products with varying purity levels to meet diverse customer needs. This reputable strontium carbonate manufacturer also has a modern logistics system for transportation and established large warehouses in strategic locations to store its products. It has become a powerful strontium carbonate supplier, well-connected to celestine mines throughout Iran, enabling it to provide customers with reliable and safe products worldwide.

What is Strontium Carbonate?

Strontium carbonate (SrCO3) is a white, odorless, and tasteless crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 147.63 g/mol. The density of strontium carbonate (SrCO3) is around 3.7 to 3.8 g/cm³ at room temperature. However, the exact density can vary depending on various factors, namely the purity of the substance and the conditions under which it is measured. The chemical has a melting point of 1,494°C and is soluble in acids but insoluble in water. Strontium carbonate is a stable compound with low reactivity and does not react with oxygen or water at room temperature. It commonly functions in the production of ferrite magnets, fluorescent lights, and fireworks due to its ability to emit a bright red color when heated.

In addition to its use in fireworks, strontium carbonate has several other industrial applications. Strontium carbonate also has potential applications in the medical field, such as bone tissue engineering, and as a potential therapeutic agent for bone-related disorders. It can be used as a raw material for producing other strontium compounds, such as strontium nitrate and strontium ferrite, which have applications in the production of pyrotechnics and electronic devices. Strontium carbonate is also used in the production of glass for color television picture tubes, as it can enhance the brightness and clarity of the image.

Different Grades of Strontium Carbonate

To ensure that the product fulfills all purity and quality requirements, many businesses rely on grading chemical and mineral components. It entails the division of substances according to their physical and chemical characteristics. As a result, there are several grades with different levels of purity, allowing customers to select the quality that best meets their requirements. For instance, in the pharmaceutical sector, the potency and safety of a medicine can be significantly impacted by the purity of a chemical molecule. Grading guarantees that the drug’s active ingredients are of the proper purity and free of any impurities that can result in adverse side effects. Similarly, grading in the food industry guarantees that preservatives and additives are suitable for human consumption.

Moreover, grading is also vital in industrial procedures. The performance of a product may differ depending on the grade of a substance since different grades may have varied qualities such as particle size, density, or solubility. Manufacturers can efficiently get the required result by optimizing their operations and choosing the suitable grade for a specific application. For instance, in the ceramics sector, the strength and durability of the finished product can be considerably impacted by the particle size of a mineral combination. The manufacturer may ensure that the ceramic match the required standards by selecting the proper grade of the compound. All in all, grading chemical and mineral compounds is a crucial stage in ensuring the quality and safety of the final product as well as in streamlining the production process to produce the desired result.

Like every other chemical and mineral compound, strontium carbonate is available in different grades, which vary in their purity and particle size distribution. High-purity grades of strontium carbonate, such as those used in the electronics industry, have 99% or higher purity. Other qualities of strontium carbonate function in manufacturing glass, ceramics, and ferrite magnets and typically have lower purity levels. Strontium carbonate can also be produced in different particle sizes, ranging from fine powders to granules. As a result, the choice of grade and particle size of strontium carbonate depends on the specific application requirements. Below, you can read more about various grades of strontium carbonate based on purity and particle size.

Based on Purity

As mentioned previously, different grades of strontium carbonate are produced based on their purity level. They include:

· The Technical Grade:

It contains about 97 to 98% SrCO3 and finds application in manufacturing fireworks, glass, and pigments.

· The Ceramic Grade:

With a purity level of approximately 99%, it produces ceramic ferrites, magnetic materials, and other ceramic products.

· The Optical Grade:

This grade of strontium carbonate is of high purity, typically 99.5% or higher, and is used in making special optical glasses with a low refractive index.

· The Pharmaceutical Grade:

It has a purity level of 99.9% or higher and is widely used to manufacture pharmaceuticals and drugs.

· The Electronic Grade:

This grade, with a purity level of 99.9% or higher, is used for constructing electronic components and devices that require high purity levels.

Based on Particle Size

Strontium carbonate comes in various particle sizes because this factor can significantly impact the final product’s properties and performance. For example, smaller particles can result in better homogeneity and mixing of the compound, while larger particles can improve flowability and handling properties. In addition, particle size can affect the porosity and density of the material, as well as its reactivity and dissolution rate. As a result, different applications may require different particle sizes to achieve the desired properties and performance. By grading strontium carbonate based on its particle size, manufacturers can ensure that the product meets the specific requirements of each application and achieve consistent results. The various grades of strontium carbonate based on particle size include:

· Fine powder:

It is the most common form of strontium carbonate, with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 10 microns.

· Medium powder:

This grade has slightly larger particle sizes than fine powder, typically ranging from 10 to 50 microns.

· Coarse powder:

Materials of this size have particle sizes ranging from 50 to 100 microns.

· Granular:

The granular grade has larger particle sizes than the powders, typically ranging from 0.5 to 3 mm.

Strontium Carbonate Production Process

Strontium carbonate is a multipurpose chemical used in various industrial and commercial applications. As a result, many strontium carbonate suppliers are in the market to fill the worldwide demand. Our intended chemical, however, does not occur naturally as a mineral, but some minerals contain strontium carbonates, such as strontianite (SrCO3) and witherite (BaCO3). Yet, the primary natural resources for strontium compounds, including strontium carbonate, are minerals such as celestite (SrSO4) and, to a lesser extent. These minerals are typically mined and processed to extract the strontium, which is then converted into various compounds, including strontium carbonate, through chemical processes.

The two most common methods of producing strontium carbonate are the black ash method and the direct conversion techniques. The first one involves the conversion of celestite ore to strontium carbonate through a series of chemical reactions, while the second one involves the purification of the ore and subsequent combination with sodium carbonate or ammonium carbonate to form strontium carbonate. These methods hold their pros and cons and are chosen based on factors such as cost, efficiency, and quality of the final product. So, each strontium carbonate manufacturer may select one of the methods based on their intended outcome and the factory’s equipment.

The Black Ash Method

It is one of the most popular techniques for converting celestite ore into strontium carbonate. The black ash method, considered as a commercial technique, involves heating finely divided carbon with crushed celestite ore to temperatures of about 1000°C. Black ash is produced due to the reaction between the ore and carbon brought on by heat. Strontium sulfide (SrS), carbon dioxide (CO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) are gaseous byproducts found in black ash. The heated water is then used to remove the water-soluble strontium sulfide from the black ash. The undissolved ore impurities are removed from the aqueous solution by settling and filtering. By adding CO2 to the aqueous solution or interacting with sodium carbonate, strontium sulfide is changed into strontium carbonate. Strontium carbonate manufacturers then recover strontium carbonate from the solution using standard solids-liquid separation techniques, followed by drying.

The production of strontium carbonate can be done effectively and economically using black ash. The process has long been employed by a variety of strontium carbonate manufacturers. The method does have some downsides, though, like the production of gaseous byproducts, which, if not adequately regulated, might damage the environment. High temperatures are also necessary for the process, which can be expensive in terms of energy use. Despite these difficulties, the black ash technique is still a popular and trustworthy way to make strontium carbonate, particularly in regions with a lot of celestite ore.

The Direct Conversion Method

Another widely used method for producing strontium carbonate is carefully purifying the ore before moving on to the manufacturing phase. During purifying, unwanted components like calcium and iron compounds are removed from the ore. The ore is typically washed with acid as part of the refining process, with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) being the most popular options. To make strontium carbonate, refined strontium ore is mixed with sodium or ammonium carbonate. This ion exchange process between sulfate and carbonate is referred to as a two-fold breakdown. However, because this reaction is relatively slow, the direct conversion method is thermodynamically and kinetically slow.

Direct conversion, as opposed to the black ash process, is a great way to make high-purity strontium carbonate. The resultant strontium carbonate is frequently employed in pharmaceutical and electronic applications because of the rigorous purification process. The direct conversion process is advantageous in several ways, including regulating the purity of the finished product, making it the best approach for producing high-purity strontium carbonate. The direct conversion method also has the advantage of being an easy and effective one-step operation. Although less popular than the black ash method, this technique is nonetheless vital for creating high-quality strontium carbonate for a range of industrial and commercial uses.

Strontium Carbonate Applications

Strontium carbonate is a widely utilized compound with various applications in different fields. It has a wide range of uses, such as in producing fireworks, where its ability to emit a bright red color in flames makes it a popular choice. Furthermore, it is used in the ceramics industry as a ceramic manufacturing raw material to modify certain metallic oxides’ color and as a glaze flux. Strontium carbonate also functions in electronic applications, namely color television receivers, to absorb electrons resulting from the cathode. In the manufacturing of strontium ferrites for permanent magnets, it plays a crucial role. Other applications include refining sugar and certain drugs, preparing iridescent glass, and as an ingredient in luminous paint.

Moreover, strontium carbonate also functions as a magnet manufacturing raw material. It is involved in the production of superconductors and electroluminescent materials. Thanks to its weak Lewis base properties, it can produce various strontium compounds by utilizing the corresponding acid. As a result, many industries seek powerful strontium carbonate suppliers to provide them with high-purity grades of the product. In the following, you can find out more about two major applications of the chemical.

As a Ceramic Manufacturing Raw Material

Strontium carbonate is an important raw material in the ceramics industry, where it is used as a flux and a modifier to improve the color and texture of glazes. As a flux, it lowers the melting point of ceramic materials, making it easier to form the desired shapes and textures. Adding strontium carbonate can also enhance ceramics’ whiteness, brightness, and opalescence, especially those containing metallic oxides like iron, cobalt, and nickel. It can sometimes replace barium carbonate as a cheaper and safer alternative. Moreover, by interacting with other additives and firing conditions, strontium carbonate can produce special effects in ceramics, such as iridescence, crystallization, and transparency. Overall, the unique properties of strontium carbonate make it a valuable component of many ceramic formulations, from tableware and decorative objects to advanced materials like piezoelectrics and superconductors.

As a Magnet Manufacturing Raw Material

The production of magnets also uses strontium carbonate as a raw material. It is employed explicitly in manufacturing permanent magnets called strontium ferrites, frequently found in loudspeakers and door magnets. Iron oxide and strontium carbonate are combined to make strontium ferrite, which is then heated to high temperatures to create these magnets. Due to their high coercivity, strontium ferrite magnets are difficult to demagnetize. It makes them perfect for electric motors and speakers where a strong, persistent magnetic field is necessary. Strontium carbonate is a versatile substance that may be used in various technological applications, as evidenced by the fact that it serves as a raw material in the production of magnets.

About Iran Celestine Co.’s Strontium Carbonate

Iran Celestine Co. is a premier strontium carbonate manufacturer with over 40 years of experience in the market. Their primary focus is on the production of celestite, which they extract from rich mines in Ahvaz, Semnan, and Ilam in Iran. With an annual production capacity of over 100,000 tons and purity levels ranging from 80% to over 90%, they offer their customers the highest quality of celestite. Iran Celestine Co. has also established large warehouses in strategic locations such as Semnan, Ilam, Kohkiloye, and Ahvaz, equipped with modern machines and devices to store and handle their products efficiently. The Bandar Abbas warehouse, occupying a 30,000 square meters area, has a workshop for the production of celestine concentrate, with an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons.

It is noteworthy that with advanced tools, a powerful logistics system, and access to celestite-rich mines, Iran Celestine Co. has set a new standard in strontium carbonate production. They have established a facility in Karaj to produce strontium carbonate and silicate, making them a reliable Iran strontium carbonate supplier. This infrastructure lets the company offer customers from every corner of the world various grades of strontium carbonate and even other minerals, such as celestite and strontium silicate. It is because Iran Celestine Co. is well-connected to multiple celestine mines in Iran, including the Neyshabur celestine mine and the Varamin celestine mine, which enables them to provide their customers with different grades and forms of celestite. With a robust packing and logistics unit, Iran Celestine Co. ensures the safe delivery of products to its customers worldwide. Customers can reach out to their experts for more information about their products and pricing.

Conclusion

Strontium carbonate is a multipurpose mineral that finds function in many industries due to its chemical and physical properties. The chemical comes in various grades based on its particle size and purity level. Each grade of strontium carbonate is produced using one of two primary methods: black ash and direct conversion. Each process has advantages and disadvantages, so manufacturers must choose the proper technique based on various variables, such as their intended outcome. Strontium carbonate is involved in multiple industries, such as producing inexpensive colorants in fireworks, manufacturing color television receivers, preparing iridescent glass, and as a crucial ingredient in glazes in the ceramics industry.