Barium (Ba)
Refractory Metals | Atomic Number: 56
Basic Properties
Ba
56
137.327 g/mol
| Element Category | Refractory Metals |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 56 |
| Atomic Weight | 137.327 g/mol |
| Crystal Structure | Body-centered cubic (BCC) |
Description
Barium is highly reactive and used in various industrial applications. Barium sulfate is used in medical imaging.
| Density | 3.620 g/cm³ |
|---|
| Tensile Strength | 12-25 MPa |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 1.25 Mohs |
| Melting Point | 727°C |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 1845°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 18.4 W/(m·K) |
| Electrical Conductivity | 2.9 × 10^6 S/m |
|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Poor - reacts with water and air |
|---|
Applications
Drilling fluids, medical imaging, pyrotechnics, paint, glass, ceramics
Production Methods
Electrolysis of barium chloride, thermal reduction of barium oxide
History
Discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1774). Isolated by Humphry Davy (1808).