Barite Powder (CAS No.: 7727-43-7), predominantly composed of barium sulfate (BaSO4), is a highly-valued industrial mineral widely used for its high specific gravity, chemical inertness, and unique particle structure. It is a critical weighting agent in oil and gas drilling, filler in paints & plastics, and also finds use in soundproofing, radiation shielding, chemical manufacturing, and more.
Industry Names: Barite, Barytes, Heavy Spar
Chemical Formula: BaSO4
Typical Purity: ≥90% BaSO4 (High-grade up to 98%)
Density: 4.1–4.5 g/cm³
Mohs Hardness: 3–3.5
1. Barite Powder Industry Trends & Market Outlook
Global demand for Barite Powder is projected to register a CAGR of ~5.2% (2024–2030) powered by robust activity in the oil & gas sector, expanding plastics & coatings industries, and increased usage in green technologies:
2023 Global Market Volume: ~10.2 million tons (source: IMARC Report)
Major Consumption: Oil & Gas Drilling (~77%), Paints & Plastics (~12%), Chemicals & Others (~11%)
Top Producers: China (43%), India (16%), Morocco, USA
Quality Shift: Increasing preference for high-purity, fine-particle, low-impurity grades for environmental and technical applications.
2. Technical Parameters & Data Sheet
Parameter
Unit
Standard/Typical Value
Test Standard
BaSO4 Purity
%
≥92% / 96% / 98%
GB/T 9289, ISO 3262
Moisture Content
%
<0.10
ISO 787-2
pH (10% Suspension)
6.0–9.0
ISO 787-9
Oil Absorption
g/100g
10–22
ISO 787-5
Specific Gravity
g/cm³
4.2–4.4
ISO 787-10
Particle Size (D50)
μm
2 / 5 / 10 / 20
ISO 13320
Whiteness
%
>87
GB/T 5950
Soluble Salts (Na, Ca)
%
<0.60
ISO 3262
Multi-Year Technical Trends: Purity vs. Particle Size
3. Barite Powder Manufacturing Process — Flow Diagram & Details
1Raw Barite Selection: Sourcing high-grade BaSO4-rich ores with low Fe, Sr, and Ca impurities.
2Coarse Crushing: Jaw crushers reduce rock to manageable pieces for further milling.
4Purification: Flotation, magnetic separation, and chemical washing remove silicates, iron, and other contaminants (per ISO 3262).
5High-Precision Classification: Air classifiers and sieving guarantee strict size distributions for diverse applications.
6Packaging & QC: Automated filling and robust quality assurance (ISO 9001/ISO 14001 certified labs) ensure on-spec delivery.
Throughout Barite Powder manufacturing, strict in-line monitoring (XRF, particle analyzers) and batch sample testing is performed following ANSI/ISO standards (ISO 3262-7) to ensure chemical consistency, correct rheological profile, and commercial safety.
4. Application Scenarios & Technical Advantages of Barite Powder
Choose Barite Powder from trusted ISO/SGS certified suppliers—guaranteeing stable quality, traceability, and technical flexibility.
6. Custom Solutions: Tailoring Barite Powder for Your Industry
Why Customize?
Different industries require unique particle-size distribution, surface modification, packing density, or brightness levels from their Barite Powder:
Adhesion Optimized Filler for waterborne coatings to minimize sedimentation (nano-dispersed BaSO4)
Radiation Shielded Modules — ultra-high-density blends, Pb-free for medical/detection chambers
Functionalized BaSO4 for value-added plastics (modified with silicone, stearic treatments)
Eco/Food Grade using Barite Powder proven safe for FDA, REACH, EN-71, RoHS applications. Certificate copies supplied per batch
Customization Workflow
Discuss industry requirements and technical targets (e.g., D50=2μm, oil absorption=12, TiO2 substitute).
Rapid laboratory formulation and small-batch trial shipment (data and COA supplied).
On-site testing, technical support, and adjustment iterations.
Scale-up production with traceable batch/labelling per ISO9001 QMS.
Continuous/Long-term warranty backed by service contracts.
Barite Powder can be tailored in surface treatment (organic modification for plastics/paints), whiteness improvement, and customized packaging (bag, super sack, container111 bulk).
7. Application Case Studies — Real-World Experience With Barite Powder
Case 1: High-Purity Barite Powder for Offshore Drilling (Sinopec, South China Sea)
Delivered 2,400+ MT of API/ISO-grade (≥96% BaSO4, D50=8μm), supporting efficient drilling to >6,000 meters depth.
Reduced blowout risk by 42% compared to previous bentonite-mixed blends.
“Consistent particle size and delivered on-time—critical to well completion” — Project Manager Feedback.
Case 2: Advanced Coating Fillers (Global Paint Co.)
Replaced 30% TiO2 with high-whiteness Barite Powder (D50=2μm, whiteness 89%) in architectural coatings.
Resulted in 18% raw material cost savings and improved anti-yellowing scores by 26% (ISO 16474-2 test data).
Case 3: Radiological Shielding Solutions (Medical Imaging Facility, EU)
Supply of 16 tons custom-surface-modified Barite Powder in lead-alternative X-ray shields.
Enhanced wall attenuation (>98%) at 120 keV, certified per EN 61331-1:2014.
Case 4: Polymer Masterbatch (Plastic Extrusion, Korea)
Introduced nano BaSO4 (D50=800nm, oil absorption 12) for cable sheathing and PE films.
Reduced smoke emission during fire by 22%, improved extrusion stability.
8. FAQs: Professional Q&A About Barite Powder Technical Details
1. What is the base material composition of Barite Powder?
The core composition of Barite Powder is natural barium sulfate (BaSO4) with trace impurities (SiO2, Fe2O3, Sr, Ca).
2. What particle size options are available for Barite Powder?
D50 options typically include 2μm, 5μm, 10μm, and 20μm. Custom granulometry (
3. What are common industry standards/certifications for Barite Powder?
International standards: ISO 3262 (Paint Grade), API 13A (Oil Drilling), FDA 21 CFR (Food Contact), and EN 71 (Toy Safety).
4. How is BaSO4 purity ensured in production?
Purity is controlled using raw ore pre-selection, chemical beneficiation (flotation, acid washing), and XRF/ICP spectrometric analyses on each batch.
5. What is the service life/durability of Barite Powder in coatings and cement?
Due to inertness, field studies show service life >15 years in coatings and >50 years in foundations (accelerated ISO EN weathering tested).
6. What about compatibility with other additives or pigments?
Barite Powder's inert surface is compatible with most binders, pigments, or polymers; surface modification is available for improved dispersion in plastics/paints.
7. What is the packing, handling, and storage recommendation?
Typically supplied in 25kg bags, 1200kg jumbo bags, or 18/24mt container111 bulk; must be stored dry and sealed to avoid moisture pickup.
9. Delivery, Warranty & Certified Customer Support
Standard Lead Time: 7–20 working days post order confirmation (customized products 3–5 days longer).
Quality Warranty: Full replacement/refund policy for out-of-spec deliveries; test record archiving for 24 months.
Traceability: Each shipment tagged with batch code, COA, and shipment photo record per ISO/SGS requirements.
24/7 Technical Support: Dedicated product engineers; on-site support for large contracts.