What is strontium sulfate?

Strontium sulfate is the strontium salt of sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Its molecular formula is SrSO4, and its molar mass is 183.68 grams per mole. It is a white crystalline substance with a density of 3.96 grams per cubic centimeter and a melting point of 1,606 degrees Celsius.

Strontium sulfate is weakly soluble in water and insoluble in ethanol. It is, however, soluble in water solutions of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sodium chloride. As a naturally occurring compound of strontium, it is industrially used to obtain more useful substances, such as strontium carbonate and strontium nitrate. The former is used to produce ceramic materials, while the latter is used in pyrotechnics.