Strontium chromate

Strontium chromate is an inorganic compound with the formula .

Preparation

Strontium chromate is prepared from strontium chloride and sodium chromate, or from strontium carbonate and sodium dichromate.

Reactions

Strontium chromate is approximately 30 times more soluble in water at than at room temperature. Therefore, the yellow strontium chromate can be suspended in a hot solution of a soluble sulfate to digest until fully converted to the much less soluble and white strontium sulfate, leaving the chromate or dichromate in solution.

Uses

• Corrosion inhibitor in pigments
• In electrochemical processes to control sulphate concentration of solutions
• Colorant in polyvinyl chloride resins
• Pyrotechnics
• Aluminium flake coatings
• As an anti-corrosive primer for zinc, magnesium, aluminium, and alloys used in aircraft manufacture.
• As a pigment used in oil painting named strontium yellow.

Health hazards

Strontium chromate is a toxic and carcinogenic compound, primarily due to its hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) content. It is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which indicates that it is considered to be proven to cause lung cancer in humans.

References