Some basic use strontium carbonate SrCO3

Strontium carbonate (SrCO3) is a odorless tasteless white or grey powder exist in nature as the mineral strontianite, insoluble in water. The solubility is increased significantly if the water is saturated with carbon dioxide, to 1 part in 1,000. It is soluble in dilute acids. It is a weak base therefore is reactive with acids.

Strontium carbonate is widely used in following field:

1,Electronic applications such as manufacturing color television receivers to absorb electrons resulting from the cathode. Manufacturing of strontium ferrites for permanent magnets which are used in Loudspeakers and door magnets.

2,In ceramics industry as an ingredient in glazes. It acts as a flux and also modifies the color of certain metallic oxides. It has some properties similar to barium carbonate ~ BaCO3

3 also used in preparation of iridescent glass, luminous paints, strontium oxide or strontium salts and in refining sugar and certain drugs.

4 Most common use of strontium carbonate is as an inexpensive colorant in fireworks. Strontium and its salts emit a brilliant red color in flame. Unlike other strontium salts, the carbonate salt is generally preferred because of its cost and the fact that it is not hygroscopic.

Strontium carbonate can also used to making some superconductors such as BSCCO and also for electroluminescent materials where it is first calcined into SrO and then mixed with sulphur to make SrSX where x is typically europium[citation needed. This is the famous "blue/green" phosphor which is sensitive to frequency and changes from lime green to blue. Other dopants can also be used such as gallium, or yttrium to get a yellow/orange glow instead.

So strontium carbonate can be used to produce many different strontium compounds by simple use of the corresponding acid. 

erik@nbschem.com