Chemical Industry Tips – Strontium

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In 1808, David in Britain extracted and discovered strontium from strontianite SrCO3 using electrolysis. It is an element of Group 2A in Period 5, with the symbol Sr. Strontium is the least abundant element among the alkaline earth metals, with the main minerals being strontianite SrSO4 and strontite. It has an oxidation state of +II and 4 stable isotopes. Its elemental form is a silver-white, soft metal with a density of 2.6 g·cm-3. It shares many properties with calcium: it is highly reactive, forming an oxide layer rapidly when exposed to air, and can burn when heated in air. It possesses strong reducing properties, reacting easily with water and acids to release hydrogen, and burns with a red flame when heated to its melting point of 769°C. Strontium must be stored in paraffin oil to avoid contact with humid air. Powdered strontium can catch fire on its own at room temperature. It is mainly used in the manufacture of alloys, phototubes, analytical chemical reagents, and for making fireworks. Strontium-90, with an atomic mass of 90, is a radioactive isotope that can be used as a beta-ray source, and its half-life is 28 years. Strontium can be produced by electrolyzing molten strontium chloride, SrCl2.