Barium ( Ba )

Elemental barium does not occur naturally although it has an abundance within the earth's crust of 500 ppm. It is obtained by heating BaO with Al and, once refined, barium is a silvery white, soft metal which oxidises readily in air and water. Barium compounds, particularly BaSO4, are used for various applications, including the manufacture of paint, as an addition to heavy duty drilling oils and in radiology as "barium meal" where it is used to outline a patient's alimentary tract, the X-rays being stopped by the barium sulphate.

For more information on Barium ( Ba ) talk to Goodfellow Cambridge Ltd