Barium (18)

Barium constitutes 0.5% of the Earth's crust. The most common naturally occurring minerals are barite (barium sulfate) and witherite (barium carbonate). Barium compounds find extensive applications in industries like glass, glaze, ceramics, and rubber, where they enhance the hardness and wear resistance of these materials. Additionally, barium compounds are utilized in the production of electronic components such as circuit boards, fluorescent screens, and cathode ray tubes. In the aerospace sector, barium is employed in the creation of alloy materials, including high-temperature alloys. In the petroleum industry, barium sulfate is used to address barium sulfate precipitates that form in oil wells or underground mining equipment.