Barium Sulfate

Chemical Formula: BaSO₄

Molecular Weight: 233.39

Barium sulfate is an inorganic non-metallic material produced from natural barite via processes including mineral processing, crushing, acid washing, precipitation, and surface modification. It is an odorless, tasteless white powder with outstanding properties such as high density (4.5 g/cm³), high whiteness, strong chemical inertness, acid and alkali resistance, and X‑ray absorption capability.

Our barium sulfate products include two main series: Natural Barium Sulfate (Barite Powder) and Precipitated Barium Sulfate. Precipitated barium sulfate is manufactured using advanced chemical synthesis technology, featuring high purity, narrow particle size distribution, and low impurity content. Organically modified ultrafine barium sulfate exhibits excellent dispersibility and compatibility, which can effectively improve the surface gloss and mechanical strength of final products.

Core Value of Barium Sulfate

As a versatile white extender pigment and functional filler, barium sulfate acts as a cost-effective extender while providing products with unique optical and physical properties. It is an indispensable basic material for coatings, plastics, rubber, medical applications, and other industries.

Part 2: Core Advantages and Properties

High Whiteness & Pure Color

Whiteness ranges from 92% to 99%, with high-purity grades ≥ 98.5%. Effectively improves whiteness and appearance quality in coatings, plastics, paper making, etc.

High Purity & Ultra-Low Impurities

BaSO₄ content ≥ 97%–98%, premium grades above 98.5%.Iron content can be controlled below 0.0015%, water-soluble matter ≤ 0.20%–0.30%.

Strong Chemical Inertness & Excellent Stability

Practically insoluble in water, ethanol, dilute acids, and alkalis; soluble in hot concentrated sulfuric acid. No discoloration when exposed to hydrogen sulfide or toxic gases in air. Melting point: 1580 °C; decomposes above 1600 °C.

Controllable Particle Size & Concentrated Distribution

Full range from conventional 325 mesh to ultrafine/nano grade. D50 of high-purity grade: 0.6–0.8 μm; modified ultrafine grade: as low as 0.3–0.4 μm. Residue on 325-mesh sieve ≤ 0.2%.

Moderate Oil Absorption & Good Processability

Oil absorption adjustable from 10–30 g/100 g; premium grade controlled at 15–25 g/100 g. Helps optimize resin dosage and reduce production costs.

X‑ray / γ‑ray Absorption Capacity

Effectively absorbs X‑rays and γ‑rays, suitable for radiation shielding materials and medical contrast agents.

Improves Surface Gloss & Hardness

Significantly enhances surface gloss, hardness, and weather resistance of end products.

Safe & Eco-Friendly

Odorless, non-toxic, and meets pharmaceutical safety standards. Some products comply with FDA, REACH, and other international certifications.

Part 3: Main Application Fields

Thanks to its high whiteness, high purity, chemical inertness, and unique optical properties, barium sulfate is widely used in numerous traditional and high-end manufacturing industries.

1. Coatings & Paints Industry (Core Application)

Barium sulfate is an important functional extender pigment and filler in the coatings industry.

Main Functions

Improves hiding power and weather resistance of coatings.

Enhances film hardness, abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance.

Improves leveling and imparts high gloss.

Acts as defoamer and brightener to upgrade coating quality.

Effectively controls viscosity and improves application performance.

Suitable Coatings

Automotive coatings (electrocoat primer, primer, surfacer, topcoat).

Industrial coatings (coil coatings, high-solids coatings, air-dry coatings, powder coatings, stoving enamels, UV & EB curable coatings).

Architectural coatings (latex paints, water-based coatings, solvent-based coatings).

Wood coatings, marine coatings, container coatings.

2. Plastics & Engineering Plastics Industry

Barium sulfate functions as a reinforcing filler in plastic products, ideal for modified plastics such as PP, ABS, nylon, etc.

Main Functions

Improves dimensional stability, rigidity, and heat resistance.

Enhances surface gloss and hardness.

Improves chemical resistance.

Reduces shrinkage and deformation.

Partially replaces titanium dioxide to lower formulation costs.

Typical Applications

Modified PP / ABS

PVC pipes, profiles, sheets

Wire & cable compounds (low-smoke zero-halogen cables)

Thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics

SBS sheets

Home appliance shells, automotive parts

3. Rubber Industry

Barium sulfate is used as a filler and weighting agent in rubber products.

Main Functions

Improves hardness and abrasion resistance

Enhances acid/alkali resistance and water resistance

Provides good reinforcement for natural and synthetic rubber

Improves processing performance

Reduces costs and increases economic efficiency

Typical Applications

Tires, hoses, belts

Seals, gaskets

Rubber soles

Industrial rubber products

4. Medical Field (Core Specialty Application)

Barium sulfate plays an irreplaceable role in the medical industry.

Medical Contrast Agent

Gastrointestinal contrast agent: absorbs X‑rays in the digestive tract for radiography.

Insoluble in water, not absorbed by human body, high safety.

Clearly displays digestive tract morphology for disease diagnosis.

Radiation Shielding Materials

Absorbs X‑rays and γ‑rays for radiation shielding.

Used in hospital radiology protection walls.

5. Printing Ink Industry

Barium sulfate serves as a functional filler and extender pigment in inks.

Main Functions:

Regulates rheology and printability

Improves hiding power and gloss

Enhances drying and adhesion

Acts as an extender for printing inks

6. Paper Making Industry

Barium sulfate is used as a surface coating agent and filler in paper manufacturing.

Main Applications:

Surface coating for photographic paper and coated art paper

Improves whiteness, smoothness, and printability

Enhances opacity and gloss

7. Battery & Electronics Industry

Barium sulfate is used as an active material additive in lead-acid batteries.

Main Functions:

Raw material and filler for batteries

Improves battery performance and service life

Filler material in electronic products

8. Ceramics & Glass Industry

Barium sulfate is widely used in ceramic and glass products.

Main Functions:

Clarifying agent for glass: defoaming and gloss enhancement

Additive for ceramic bodies and glazes

Improves whiteness and strength of ceramics

Raw material for enamel industry

9. Cosmetics Industry

High-purity barium sulfate is used as a white extender pigment in cosmetics.

Main Applications:

Powders, loose powder, eye shadow, and other color cosmetics

Improves hiding power and spreadability

Provides excellent skin feel and luster

10. Friction Materials

Barium sulfate is used as a functional filler in friction materials.

Main Applications:

Brake pads, clutch facings

Improves abrasion resistance and thermal stability

Regulates friction coefficient and enhances braking performance

11. Other Applications

Textile industry: sizing agent
Copper smelting: flux
Artificial ivory: raw material
Elastic adhesives and sealants

Photographic materials: photographic paper production
Color paste industry
Raw material for manufacturing other barium salts

Part 4: Product Specifications & Technical Parameters

Product Series Table

Product Type	Grade / Specification	BaSO₄ Content (%)	Whiteness (%)	D50 (μm)	Key Features	Main Applications
Natural Barium Sulfate	325–3000 mesh	≥ 95	90–95	5–45	Low cost, abundant raw material	Building materials, general fillers
Precipitated Barium Sulfate	Industrial grade	≥ 97.0	≥ 92	2–10	High purity, good whiteness	Coatings, rubber, batteries
High-Purity Barium Sulfate	High-purity grade	≥ 97.5–98.0	≥ 97	0.6–0.8	High whiteness & purity, low Fe	High-end coatings, inks, plastics
Modified Ultrafine Barium Sulfate	Ultrafine modified	≥ 97.0	≥ 99	0.3–0.4	Organically modified, excellent dispersibility	Engineering plastics, cosmetics, high-end coatings
High-Dispersion Barium Sulfate	High-dispersion	≥ 97.0	≥ 97	0.7–1.2	Excellent dispersibility	Powder coatings, paints
Pharmaceutical Grade Barium Sulfate	Medical grade	≥ 98.5	≥ 96	1–5	Sterile, high purity	Gastrointestinal contrast, pharmaceutical excipients

Technical Data Sheet

Item	GB/T 2899-2008 Grade 1	High-Purity Barium Sulfate	Modified Ultrafine Precipitated Barium Sulfate
BaSO₄ (dry basis), % ≥	97.0	97.5	97.0
Moisture, % ≤	0.30	0.20	0.20
Water-soluble matter, % ≤	0.30	0.30	0.15
Iron (Fe), % ≤	0.006	0.004	0.0015
Whiteness, % ≥	92.0	97.0	99.0
Oil Absorption, g/100 g	10–30	15–25	10–30
pH Value	5.5–9.5	5.5–9.5	6.5–9.0
325-Mesh Residue, % ≤	0.2	0.2	0.08
Particle Size Distribution <10 μm	80	95	–
Particle Size Distribution <5 μm	60	90	–
Particle Size Distribution <2 μm	25	80	–
D50 (μm)	–	0.6–0.8	0.3–0.4

Physical Properties

Item	Index
Molecular Formula	BaSO₄
Molecular Weight	233.39
Density	4.5 g/cm³
Melting Point	1580 °C
Decomposition Temperature	Above 1600 °C
Refractive Index	1.64
Mohs Hardness	3–3.5