Barium Nitrate

Brief Overview
Barium nitrate (BaNO₃) is a chemical compound which exists as a white solid at room temperature and is soluble in water. It is non-combustible but it accelerates the burning of combustible materials. It occurs naturally as a nitrobarite mineral. At high temperature, barium nitrate decomposes to form barium oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen. Barium nitrate is an oxidizing agent and reacts vigorously with reducing agents. 

Manufacturing Process
Barium nitrate is manufactured by dissolving barium carbonate with nitric acid followed by filtration, evaporation and crystallisation. Barium nitrate crystals are also obtained by heating the mixture of barium chloride with sodium nitrate solution.

Explosive Industry
Barium nitrate is widely used in explosive industry widely mixed with aluminium powder as a highly explosive material. Barium nitrate is mixed with thermite to form Thermate-TH3 which is used in military thermite grenades.

Chemical Industry
Barium nitrate is utilized in the production of barium oxide. Barium nitrate is used in the treatment of salt brines to remove sulfates.

Ceramics Industry
Barium nitrate is used as a flux in ceramics industry and as a raw material in the production of optic glass and fine glassware