CI 77120- ▸ Drilling-fluid weighting agent: Raises mud density in oil and gas drilling.
- ▸ Filler/extender: Inert filler and pigment extender in paints, plastics, rubber and paper.
- ▸ Radiation shielding: High-density aggregate for shielding concrete.
- ▸ Coatings: Adds body and chemical resistance to coating films.
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Barium sulfate (barite or barytes, CAS 7727-43-7) is a dense, chemically inert white mineral sulfate (BaSO4). Its very high specific gravity (~4.2–4.5) makes it the standard weighting agent in oil- and gas-well drilling fluids and a high-density aggregate for radiation-shielding concrete, while its inertness, brightness and low oil absorption make it a workhorse filler and pigment extender in paints, coatings, plastics, rubber and friction products. RawSource supplies API drilling grade and filler/extender grades from domestic US stock. Commodity background: USGS.
What is barite?
Barite is the natural mineral form of barium sulfate. It stands out for density — among the heaviest common industrial minerals — combined with near-total chemical inertness: it is insoluble in water and acids, non-magnetic, soft (Mohs ~3–3.5) and low in oil absorption. Those properties drive its two distinct roles: a cheap source of mass (drilling weight, radiation shielding) and an inert, bright, chemically resistant filler.
Grades
The grade is set by the duty. API drilling grade meets API 13A for specific gravity (typically ≥4.1), residue and particle size for use as a mud weighting agent. Filler / extender grades are micronized and selected for brightness, particle size and low oil absorption for paints, plastics and rubber. High-density aggregate grades are sized for radiation-shielding concrete. (Medical contrast-media barium sulfate is a separate pharmaceutical specification and is not offered here.) Specify the grade and particle size on the RFQ.
Applications by sector
Oil & gas drilling. Barite is the primary weighting agent in water- and oil-based drilling muds, raising mud density to control formation pressure and stabilize the wellbore. Radiation shielding. As a high-density aggregate it makes heavyweight concrete and plasters for X-ray, medical and nuclear shielding. Coatings, plastics & rubber. It is an inert, bright, chemically resistant filler and pigment extender that adds density, smoothness and chemical resistance and tunes gloss. Friction & other. It is used in brake pads and other friction materials and as a functional filler. Barium sulfate is insoluble and inert; this is distinct from soluble barium compounds.
Handling and documentation
Barite is chemically inert but is a fine, dense mineral powder; manage dust per the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and your site practice. Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) documenting specific gravity, particle size and the graded properties. Hazard and handling data are sourced from the SDS.
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource supplies barium sulfate (barite) in bags, super sacks and bulk from domestic US stock, to drilling, coatings, plastics and construction buyers. Submit an RFQ with the grade (API drilling, filler/extender or aggregate), particle size and target quantity for a current quote with CoA and SDS.
Typical Properties
Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Barium sulfate (barite, barytes) |
| CAS Number | 7727-43-7 |
| Molecular Formula | BaSO4 |
| Appearance | White to off-white / grey powder |
| Specific gravity | ~4.2–4.5 |
| Mohs hardness | ~3–3.5 |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water and dilute acids |
| Grades | API 13A drilling; micronized filler/extender; high-density aggregate |
| Oil absorption | Low (grade-dependent — see CoA) |
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU):
- EC number: 231-784-4
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
Solutions Using This Product
Process-solution guides on this site that specify this chemistry:
- Anticorrosive Pigments & Corrosion Inhibitors for Coatings (Coatings & Construction)
- Drilling Fluids & Mud Additives (Oil, Gas & Mining)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is barium sulfate (barite) used for?
Barium sulfate (barite, CAS 7727-43-7) is used as the primary weighting agent in oil- and gas-well drilling muds, as a high-density aggregate for radiation-shielding concrete, and as an inert, bright filler and pigment extender in paints, coatings, plastics, rubber and friction products.
Why is barite used in drilling mud?
Its very high specific gravity (~4.2–4.5) and chemical inertness let it raise the density of drilling fluid to balance formation pressure and stabilize the wellbore, without reacting with the mud chemistry. API 13A drilling grade is specified for this duty.
Is barium sulfate soluble or toxic?
Barium sulfate is insoluble in water and acids and chemically inert, which distinguishes it from soluble barium salts. As an industrial mineral it is handled as a dust-control matter; consult the SDS for classification and handling. Nothing here is a medical or health claim.
What is the difference between API drilling grade and filler-grade barite?
API drilling grade meets API 13A for specific gravity, residue and particle size as a mud weighting agent. Filler/extender grade is micronized and selected for brightness, fineness and low oil absorption for coatings, plastics and rubber. Specify which you need on the RFQ.
What is the CAS number and formula of barite?
Barite (barium sulfate) is CAS 7727-43-7, formula BaSO4. It is a natural mineral graded by specific gravity and particle size; the CoA documents each lot.
How is bulk barite supplied and quoted?
RawSource supplies barite in bags, super sacks and bulk from domestic US stock, with CoA and SDS per lot. Pricing is quote-based on grade, particle size and volume; submit an RFQ with your target quantity and ship-to.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Barium Sulfate (Barite, Barytes)?
Barium Sulfate (Barite, Barytes) (CAS 7727-43-7) is subject to U.S. TSCA Inventory requirements; supplying it into the EU requires valid REACH registration ((EC) No 1907/2006). RawSource cannot verify a third-party supplier's registrations — buyers should require documented TSCA and REACH compliance for their jurisdiction and volume (EC 231-784-4).