What Does
Barium Sulfate Mean?
Barium sulfate is an inorganic chemical compound composed of barium, sulfur and oxygen elements that have been reacted through the combining of barium ions and sulfate salts. It has the chemical formula BaS04 and is a white crystal-like solid that has no odor and is insoluble in water.
Corrosionpedia Explains Barium Sulfate
Barium sulfate is a compound usually used as an x-ray contrast agent that occurs in nature as the mineral barite. It is used in various manufacturing processes and mixed into heavy concrete to perform as a radiation shield. Barium sulfate is also a key chemical used in oil and gas extraction drilling well operations. It is introduced into wells containing petroleum deposits that have a low density in order to increase the density. This makes oil recovery easier and collection more efficient.