What is barite and what are its uses:

Barite is a natural compound of barium sulfate with the formula BaSO4, also known as Heavy Spar, which belongs to the group of sulfates. Its crystallization system is orthoromic. Barite is a common mineral in veins and usually appears with quartz and calcite. It is also found in limestone and sandstone and in some concentrations, it is high, but in any case, as a primary mineral rock are rare. An important characteristic of barite is that it is much heavier and has a higher specific gravity than other non-metallic materials. The specific gravity of this mineral is high and is about 4.3 to 4.6. Barite is normally white to light gray, but may also appear in bluish, brown, or black colors.

Applications and uses of barite:

Consumption of barite in oil and gas drilling

In deep drilling for oil and gas in a rotary manner and in areas where the pressure of gas or liquid is high from below, sounding requires a heavy product that rotates and prevents the outflow of materials and controls its pressure. It is used in this case because of its suitable barite conditions. In this case, barite powder is added to a normal solution of water and clay.

Consumption of barite in the preparation of barium-containing chemicals

The second important use of barite is as a source of barium-containing chemicals, which are widely used in various industries. Barium sulfate precipitate is used as a paint sealant, coating in the paper industry, rubber and linoleum materials. Barium chloride is used in the leather industry, textiles and barium carbonate as a glaze and ceramic polish.

Barium oxides are used in the glass industry, electric furnaces and metallurgy. Barium hydroxide is usually one of the components of light bulbs and explosives in the refining and preparation of sugar from molasses and its nitrate. Barite is also used extensively in chemical compounds in many cases. 10% of the total barite produced is used for the production of barium-containing chemicals.

Uses of crushed barite in various industries:

Barite in crushed form is used directly as a coating for rubber and paint fluids. Also, if the size of crushed barite grains is the size of coarse sand, it can be used in the glass industry. In this case, barite is used as a melting aid to facilitate work on glass and create transparency. Crushed barite is used as a cement coating for underwater pipes in oil and gas transportation. The reason for using barite in this case is because it is heavy and neutral.

Application of barite in ceramics

It is used in glassmaking as a homogenizer of molten material, reducing bubbles and in the brightness and transparency of the product. Barium-based glass is clearer and brighter than lead or CaO glass. Advanced barium-containing ceramics are used in the electronics industry (condensers, earphones, speakers and telephones) and permanent magnets.

Application of barite in fillers

Barite is used as a filler in the paint, plastics, paper and rubber industries. It is also used in the construction of cement blocks due to its high specific gravity and radioactive radiation absorption. A mixture of rubber, asphalt and 10% barite is used to build stations and runways. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry, explosives, alloys, radiation protection and …..