Barium Chloride Supplier in South Africa

What Is Barium Chloride?

Barium chloride (BaCl₂) is a white crystalline ionic compound that is highly soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohols. It is produced by the reduction and chlorination of barite (barium sulfate) and is one of the most important soluble barium salts in industrial chemistry. The dihydrate form BaCl₂·2H₂O is commonly encountered, while the anhydrous form is produced by dehydration at elevated temperatures.

Water Treatment & Barium Sulfate Precipitation

One of the primary uses of barium chloride is in water treatment for the removal of sulfate ions, where it precipitates insoluble barium sulfate (BaSO₄). This reaction is used to reduce sulfate concentrations in industrial wastewater, to clarify brine solutions in chlor-alkali plants, and to purify process water in the chemical industry. The barium sulfate precipitate is dense and separates readily by sedimentation or filtration.

Chemical Synthesis & Metal Hardening

Barium chloride is used as a source of barium ions in the synthesis of barium chemicals including barium carbonate, barium nitrate, barium chromate, and barium titanate. In heat treatment, it is used in salt bath furnaces (Barium chloride baths) for hardening high-speed steel and case-hardening tool steels at temperatures of 900–1100°C, where its high thermal stability and low volatility make it an effective heat transfer medium.

Electroplating & Ceramics

In electroplating, barium chloride is used in brightener formulations for zinc and aluminium plating baths. In ceramics it acts as a flux and is a precursor to barium titanate, a piezoelectric ceramic used in capacitors, sensors, and transducers. Barium chloride is also used in the manufacture of specialty glass, as a chloride source in analytical chemistry, and in the production of fireworks (green colour in pyrotechnics).