Barium Carbonate

Barium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula BaCO3. It is a white powder that is insoluble in water and soluble in most acids, such as hydrochloric acid. Barium carbonate is commonly used in the production of ceramics, glass, and other specialized applications due to its high density and chemical stability.

When heated at temperatures above 1300°C, barium carbonate decomposes into barium oxide (BaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). This reaction is often used in the production of specialty glasses and ceramics, where barium oxide serves as a fluxing agent to lower the melting point of the material.

Barium carbonate is also used in the production of barium ferrite, which is a magnetic material used in various applications such as magnetic recording media and microwave devices. In this application, barium carbonate is reacted with iron oxide to form barium ferrite.

It should be noted that barium carbonate is toxic and can be harmful if ingested. Therefore, appropriate precautions must be taken when handling this compound to prevent accidental ingestion or inhalation of the dust.