Strontium sulfate

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Strontium sulfate

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Template:Longitem	SrSO4
Molar mass	183.68 g/mol
Appearance	white orthorhombic crystals
Density	3.96 g/cm3
Melting point	Template:Chembox CalcTemperatures
Template:Longitem	3.44 x 10−7
Solubility	insoluble in ethanol, alkalis slightly soluble in acids
Template:Longitem	−57.9·10−6 cm3/mol
Template:Longitem	1.622
Template:Longitem	Orthorhombic, oP24
Template:Longitem	Pnma, No. 62
Template:Longitem	117.0 J·mol−1·K−1
Template:Longitem	−1453.1 kJ·mol−1
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Template:Longitem	Strontium chloride Strontium oxide
Template:Longitem	Beryllium sulfate Magnesium sulfate Calcium sulfate Barium sulfate

Strontium sulfate (SrSO₄) is the sulfate salt of strontium. It is a white crystalline powder and occurs in nature as the mineral celestine. It is poorly soluble in water to the extent of 1 part in 8,800. It is more soluble in dilute HCl and nitric acid and appreciably soluble in alkali chloride solutions (e.g. sodium chloride).

Structure

Strontium sulfate is a polymeric material, isostructural with barium sulfate. Crystallized strontium sulfate is utilized by a small group of radiolarian protozoa, called the Acantharea, as a main constituent of their skeleton.

Applications and chemistry

Strontium sulfate is of interest as a naturally occurring precursor to other strontium compounds, which are more useful. In industry it is converted to the carbonate for use as ceramic precursor and the nitrate for use in pyrotechnics.

The low aqueous solubility of strontium sulfate can lead to scale formation in processes where these ions meet. For example, it can form on surfaces of equipment in underground oil wells depending on the groundwater conditions.