![]() Strontium is available as metal and compounds with purities from 99% to 99.999% (ACS grade to ultra-high purity). Historically the primary use of strontium has been to produce CRT glass for color televisions and computer monitors. It also has many high technology applications because of its high refractive index as a titanate in glass, as a "getter" in electron tubes and as a dopant for numerous perovskite formulations to produce cathodes for oxygen generation or solid oxide fuel cells. Strontium has low tech applications as an additive to flares and pyrotechnics because of the bright crimson flame produced by its salts. For the rare cases where strontium metal is needed, it is produced by reducing strontium oxide with aluminum. Almost all of the strontium extracted is therefore converted from the sulfate to the carbonate. Though the vast majority of strontium compounds used are derived from the carbonate, celestite is more commonly mined, as it tends to occur more frequently in deposits large enough to exploit economically. Its primary mineral deposits are celestite, a strontium sulfate mineral, and strontiantite, a carbonate mineral. Strontium, like its fellow alkali earths, is highly reactive, and therefore is never found naturally in the form of the pure metal. Strontium metal is used fairly rarely, but it is added to some aluminum alloys to improve their ability to be cast into detailed structures, and it also finds occasional use as a chemical reagent. Strontium chloride also serves a medical function, as it treats tooth sensitivity when included in toothpaste. Strontium gels have even been investigated as promoters of bone growth in bone tissue engineering. Additionally, the radioisotope strontium-89 is used to treat pain from metastatic bone cancer, as it will localize to the bones naturally and kill the cancer cells there, stopping the extreme pain caused by tumors growing within the bones. Strontium ranelate is used as a drug treatment for patients with osteoporosis, and succeeds in strengthening bones and preventing breaks. Though not needed in the body, strontium is taken up by the bones just like calcium, and is known to promote calcium uptake, increasing bone density. Strontium additionally has important medical uses resulting from its chemical similarities to calcium. They are generally found in small motors, speakers, decorative magnets, and toys. These magnets are useful for their resistance to corrosion, low density, effectiveness at high-temperatures, and and their ability to be very permanently magnetized. Strontium ferrite is a ceramic compound used to produce high strength magnets. This was once one of the largest uses of strontium, before the use of CRT displays began to decline. Additionally, strontium glass blocks UV and X-ray radiation, and for this reason is included in cathode ray tube (CRT) display faceplates. This produces a higher-quality glass suitable for optical applications. ![]() ![]() When added to glass, the same compound increases hardness, strength, and the index of refraction. Strontium oxide is used in pottery glazes to replace alternative compounds which contain toxic lead or barium. Strontium salts typically burn a bright red, and for this strontium compounds, especially strontium nitrate, are included in fireworks, flares, and tracer ammunition. This method is now obsolete, but strontium remains in use primarily due to the unique chemistry of its compounds. Strontium’s earliest industrial use was in the extraction of sugar from sugar beet molasses through a chemical procedure known as the Strontian process. He ultimately succeeded using electrolysis of a mixture of mercury and strontium oxides, a method that also allowed him to produce barium and calcium metals for the first time. It was not until 1808 that Sir Humphry Davy succeeded in isolating the pure metal, a difficult task due to strontium’s high reactivity with water and air. Many of his contemporaries confirmed the results of his experiments and supported his assessment, and the name “strontium” was given to the new element based upon the origins of the source mineral. He had examined a supposed barium carbonate sample from the mine at Strontian, Argyleshire and upon finding that the sample lacked the expected chemical properties, proposed that he had found a new “earth”-a novel natural compound that likely contained a previously unknown element. In 1790 a Scottish physician named Adair Crawford was the first to distinguish strontium-containing minerals from barium minerals. American Elements: The Materials Science Company™ | Certified bulk & lab quantity manufacturer of metals, chemicals, nanoparticles & other advanced materials
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