Strontium Sulphate

Strontium sulfate (SrSO4) is the strontium sulfate salt with the molecule’s core atom, sulfur, produced from two strontium cations. It is surrounded by four oxygen atoms for bonding, two of which comprise S=O. It naturally occurs as celestite and is mainly a white crystalline powder. It is insoluble in ethanol and slightly soluble in water and nitric acid. Strontium sulphate primarily serves as a precursor in synthesizing other strontium compounds. It is employed as a ceramic precursor, too. Due to its chemical and physical properties, strontium sulfate also functions in several other industries, namely pyrotechnics, zinc refining, and magnet production. Strontium sulphate manufacturers provide the chemical in various grades to meet the needs of each application.

Iran Celestine Co. is a well-established and reliable Iran strontium sulphate manufacturer and supplier. With access to various celestine mines in different regions, the company is able to provide a consistent supply of high-quality chemical products. The company has a 100,000-ton capacity to produce celestite on an annual basis. It makes Iran Celestine Co., which has been in the market for over 40 years, a powerful strontium sulfate manufacturer. This organization possesses advanced factories and a powerful logistics unit that ensures efficient and timely delivery of orders to clients worldwide. As a prominent player in the industry, the company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and customer service to present Iran strontium sulfate in various grades. With a wide range of grades and purity levels available, Iran Celestine Co. is the go-to choose for customers seeking reliable and competitively priced strontium sulphate products.

What is Strontium Sulphate?

With the empirical formula SO 2 – 4, the sulfate or sulphate ion is a polyatomic anion. It is frequently involved in various industrial sectors. Sulfates are a common occurrence in daily living. These are sulfuric acid salts, and a lot of them are made from that acid. In a tetrahedral arrangement, four equivalent oxygen atoms surround a core sulfur atom to form the sulfate anion. It shares the exact symmetry as methane. The four oxygen atoms are all in the two oxidation states, whereas the sulfur atom is in the +6 oxidation state.

Strontium sulfate (SrSO4) is a chemical comprising one strontium ion and one sulfate ion. It has a melting point of 1,607°C and a molar mass of 183.68 g/mol. The substance is typically found in nature as the mineral celestine and takes the form of a white, crystalline powder. Strontium sulfate has several remarkable characteristics, including a low solubility in water (only 1 part in 8,800 is soluble). The substance is better soluble in alkali chloride solutions like sodium chloride as well as in diluted hydrochloric and nitric acids.

The composition and crystal structure of strontium sulfate impact its chemical characteristics. It produces monoclinic prisms or tabular crystals and has an orthorhombic structural form. The material doesn’t break down or interact with most substances at room temperature and pressure, making it comparatively stable. In addition to processing celestine with sulfuric acid, strontium sulfate can be made by reacting strontium chloride with sodium sulfate. Due to its capacity to emit vivid red colors when burned, the substance is frequently employed in a variety of applications, including radiography, the manufacturing of ceramics, and pyrotechnics. Strontium sulfate is a helpful substance in a range of industries, especially those requiring its distinctive brilliant red hues due to its unique characteristics.

Different Grades of Strontium Sulphate

Chemical grading is a standard way of providing products with different chemical and physical properties. Both customers and manufacturers can take advantage of this type of classification. Manufacturers employ this system to present their goods in an organized manner; it helps them to provide every detail of their products. On the other hand, customers may use grading to find their intended product without hesitation. Thanks to grading, they may be assured of the quality of the goods they buy. Customers can feel confident that the product will function as anticipated and satisfy their unique demands by providing information about the strontium sulfate’s purity level and other features. Furthermore, various strontium sulfate grades work better in some applications than others. For example, pharmaceutical-grade strontium sulfate is explicitly created to adhere to standards for usage in drugs and medical equipment. Customers can be sure they are buying strontium sulphate suitable for their particular use by requesting information about its intended usage.

Also, grading can assist customers in choosing products that are more affordable to purchase. For instance, a lesser chemical grade may be more cost-effective than a higher-grade product if the strontium sulfate’s intended use does not require the highest purity level. As such, it is vital to find out about various grades of strontium sulphate. Below, you can read more about the standard grades of the chemical; however, some Strontium sulphate manufacturers may use their own ways of grading this substance.

The Reagent Grade

The reagent grade of strontium sulphate is a high-purity substance frequently utilized in lab and research settings. This grade contains very few impurities, with a 99.9% or above purity level. The grade’s excellent purity makes it suitable for analytical chemistry, where precise and accurate results are crucial. Due to its capacity to adhere to strict regulations and criteria, it is also frequently utilized in pharmaceutical and biological research. Strontium sulfate in the reagent grade also functions to make other pure chemicals and as a reagent in several chemical processes. Due to its high cost, the reagent grade is not typically used in industrial applications, but it remains an essential component in laboratory research and development.

The Industrial Grade

Almost every Strontium sulphate supplier presents a wide range of its products under the name of industrial grade. It is a typical type of substance that is extensively employed in many industrial sectors. This grade has a standard purity level of 98 to 99%, with impurities and other minerals comprising the remaining portion. However, since the impurities in the industrial grade have little impact on the substance’s performance or qualities, they often don’t make problems for industrial uses. Due to its excellent chemical stability, low solubility, and resistance to high temperatures, the grade is utilized in various applications, including ceramics, pyrotechnics, and radiography. It is also employed as a filler material in creating rubber and plastic products.

The Technical Grade

Strontium sulfate manufacturers usually offer the technical grade of strontium sulfate as the lowest grade of the compound, which typically has a purity level of around 95-98%. Compared to the other grades, it may have included more significant levels of contaminants and other minerals. The technical grade is frequently utilized in industrial applications where high purity is not essential, like the manufacture of building materials, ceramics, and fertilizers. Due to its lower cost and availability, the technical grade of strontium sulfate has become a popular alternative for all these applications. However, it might not be appropriate for projects requiring higher purity levels, including medicines or biomedical research, which are more delicate. Despite its reduced purity level, the technical grade of strontium sulfate still has numerous advantageous chemical and physical characteristics that make it a valuable product for various industrial purposes.

Strontium Sulphate Production Process

There are several methods for producing strontium sulfate. One approach includes combining strontium chloride or strontium carbonate with sulfuric acid, which has strontium sulfate and a byproduct of hydrochloric acid or carbon dioxide, depending on the chosen method. Another common way is to process celestite deposits, which naturally contain strontium sulfate, by reducing the ore to strontium sulfide with coke and then oxidizing it with air. After additional purification and processing, the resulting strontium sulphate can be divided into several grades for use in a variety of industrial applications. Depending on the required purity, yield, and cost-effectiveness, these techniques give varied advantages and disadvantages and are selected based on the intended usage requirements. As a result, each strontium sulphate manufacturer chooses one of these methods or even takes into account other possible techniques.

In the following, we will review the preparation of strontium sulphate from celestite deposits.

Crushing and Grinding

Crushing and grinding the raw material is the initial step in producing Iran strontium sulfate. It begins with the ore being crushed into little pieces for celestite deposits and then milled into a fine powder. This process is essential to enhance the surface area of the material and improve engagement and reactivity between the raw material and the chemicals used in the following processing steps. The specific application and purity criteria for the finished product will determine the size of the particles and the level of refinement necessary. In some instances, the raw material may also need deep cleaning or magnetic separation to remove contaminants before further processing.

Reduction

Strontium sulfate manufacturers describe the reduction phase as the second stage in preparing strontium sulfate from celestite deposits. In this step, coke, a type of carbon, is combined with finely ground celestite and heated in a rotary kiln to a high temperature. Carbon monoxide gas and strontium sulfide appear during this process as a result of the coke’s carbon interacting with celestite’s oxygen. Considering the reaction’s strong exothermic potential, temperature and residence time must be carefully managed to guarantee that all source elements are entirely converted. It is vital to note that the quality of the final product depends heavily on the purity and quality of strontium sulfide, a crucial intermediary in the manufacture of strontium sulfate.

Oxidation

The third stage in preparing strontium sulphate relying on celestite deposits involves oxidation. The strontium sulfide obtained from the reduction stage is further processed in this stage to create pure strontium sulfate. Strontium sulfide is oxidized with air at high temperatures in a furnace, producing strontium sulfate and sulfur dioxide gas. Due to the high exothermic nature of this reaction, it is crucial to carefully regulate the temperature and oxygen content to avoid the production of undesirable byproducts. Typically, the sulfur dioxide produced at this stage is caught and subsequently processed to create sulfuric acid, which is then applied in the strontium sulfate production process. It is routinely washed and filtered to eliminate contaminants and prepare the strontium sulfate acquired at this stage for delivery to end users.

Filtration

Another stage after oxidation is filtration. The resulting strontium sulfate is filtered to eliminate contaminants or undissolved particles in the solution. The solution is often passed through a filter media, either a filter press or a centrifuge, to separate the solid strontium sulfate from the liquid. After being filtered, the strontium sulfate is washed with water or another suitable solvent to eliminate any impurities and increase the quality of the finished product. After cleaning, the strontium sulphate is dried and packed for sale to clients. Filtration is a crucial stage in the manufacture of strontium sulfate to assure the purity and quality of the finished product and to get rid of any pollutants that can have a negative impact on how well it performs in various applications.

Drying and Milling

In the final chemical preparation stage, the purified strontium sulfate is dried and milled into a fine powder. The material is heated during drying to remove any remaining moisture and reach the desired dryness level. Drying is routinely performed in a drying oven. After being dried, strontium sulphate is next put through a milling machine to be ground into a fine powder. The milling step is crucial because it guarantees that the particles are uniform in size and shape, essential for ensuring consistent performance in varied applications. At the end of this stage, the strontium sulfate suppliers can tend to ship the final product as a fine, white powder packaged in bags or drums to customers around the world.

Strontium Sulphate Applications

Due to its distinctive chemical and physical properties, strontium sulfate has a broad spectrum of applications. Its high melting point, low solubility, and corrosion resistance make it a good precursor material for ceramic items. The substance is also a vital precursor of other strontium compounds widely employed across numerous sectors. Strontium sulfate transforms into other strontium-containing chemicals, notably strontium carbonate, strontium nitrate, and strontium hydroxide, because of its poor solubility. Strontium nitrate is a crucial component in pyrotechnics and flares, while strontium carbonate almost always serves as a precursor for ceramics. Strontium hydroxide also contributes to the refinement of zinc and the synthesis of other strontium compounds.

Iran Strontium Sulfate holds several other applications. In the following, you can discover more about them.

In Zinc Refining

Strontium sulphate plays an important role in the metallurgical sector as a refining agent to create high-purity zinc. Impurities, including lead, cadmium, and iron, amass at the bottom of the cell as anode slime during the electrolytic refining of zinc. To help solidify these contaminants into larger particles that may be easily removed, strontium sulfate is added to the electrolyte. Higher-quality zinc obtained through this refining process allows for a broader range of uses, such as creating alloys and galvanizing steel coatings. Strontium sulfate can also increase the effectiveness of the refining process, resulting in lower energy usage and production costs.

In Pyrotechnics

Strontium sulfate is a common chemical in the pyrotechnics industry. It produces a bright red flame that is long-lasting and noticeable when combined with other substances. When a bright, consistent red hue is sought, it is the perfect option for explosions, flares, and other pyrotechnic devices. Strontium sulfate is used in pyrotechnic compositions as a colorant, filler, and binder, which helps maintain the finished item’s consistency and stability. Its low toxicity and comparatively inexpensive cost compared to other colorants make the substance a popular option for pyrotechnic applications. Overall, strontium sulfate is essential for creating colorful, eye-catching pyrotechnic displays.

In Ceramics

In the ceramics sector, strontium sulfate serves as a raw ingredient for creating numerous ceramic products. It is used as a fluxing agent in ceramics, one of its most important uses. Strontium sulfate can lower the melting temperatures of ceramic materials due to its distinct physical and chemical features, improving production processes. To improve ceramic materials’ mechanical strength and hardness, strontium sulfate is also utilized as a nucleating agent. It increases the development of tiny crystal nuclei in the materials. Strontium sulfate can be used to formulate glazes to change the thermal expansion coefficient and enhance gloss and opacity.

In Ferrite Magnet Production

Due to its capacity to improve the magnetic characteristics of the material, strontium sulphate is frequently employed in the production of ferrite magnets. Strontium or other rare earth elements are combined with iron oxide and other compounds to create ferrite magnets. The final product’s homogeneity is enhanced by adding strontium sulfate, producing magnets with greater magnetic characteristics. As a fluxing agent, strontium sulfate lowers the mixture’s sintering temperature and aids in the material’s densification. Moreover, strontium sulphate has the ability to modify crystal formation, hence regulating crystal size and enhancing the material’s magnetic anisotropy. As a result, strontium sulfate is an essential ingredient in creating high-performance ferrite magnets for various uses, including electric motors, generators, and magnetic recording devices.

About Iran Celestine Co.’s Strontium Sulphate

Iran Celestine Co. is a well-known inorganic materials manufacturer that focuses on producing celestite from various Iran celestite mines in Ahvaz, Semnan, and Ilam provinces. The company provides an extensive range of strontium-containing substances, notably Iran strontium sulfate. With over four decades of experience in extraction and manufacturing, Iran Celestine Co. has an annual production capacity of over 100,000 tons of celestite, which comes in varying purity levels, including 80%, 85%, and over 90%. Iran Celestine Co. has also established large warehouses across different regions in Iran, equipped with modern machines and devices to ensure safe storage and transportation. Specifically, the Bandar Abbas warehouse spans a massive 30,000 square meters and has a workshop capable of producing up to 50,000 tons of celestite annually.

Moreover, Iran Celestine Co. owns a state-of-the-art factory that produces different grades of strontium sulfate powders, including 80%, 85%, and +90%. The company is well-connected to multiple celestine mines in Iran, such as the Neyshabur and Varamin celestine mines, making it a reliable strontium sulphate supplier. It means every customer from every corner of the world can rely on Iran Celestine Co.’s products since the company has become a reliable strontium sulfate supplier and manufacturer. Its products are classified into various grades and hold different chemical and physical properties, each customized for a particular application. For more information about the company’s products and pricing, please take a look at About Us.

Conclusion

With the chemical formula SrSO4, strontium sulphate is an inorganic substance. It is a crystalline powder that is white, odorless, and insoluble in water but soluble in weak acids. SrSO4 holds specific properties; for instance, its melting point is 1,610 °C, and its density is 3.96 g/cm3. The primary source of strontium is the mineral celestine, frequently found in nature. Strontium sulphate manufacturers consider various methods to produce the substance; some use celestite deposits. After the production stage, the chemical is classified into different grades to be supplied orderly. Due to its characteristics, strontium sulphate has a wide range of uses, including as a flame retardant and a coagulating agent in manufacturing high-purity zinc. It is a colorant used in pyrotechnics to create a fiery red blaze. As flux and in the creation of ferrite magnets, strontium sulfate is also employed in producing glass and ceramics.