Strontium

Metals -> Elements, Metallic

Trace element

2.54 g/cu cm

2.64 g/cm³

2.64 @25 °C

Silvery white metal; face-centered cubic structure

Pale yellow soft metal

Soluble in alcohol and acids.

Solubility in water: reaction

1390 °C

1384 °C

1382 °C @760 [mm Hg]

752 °C

757 °C

777 °C

Other Solid

Silvery-white metal that becomes yellow on contact with air; [Merck Index]

SILVERY-WHITE SOLID IN VARIOUS FORMS.

Natural strontium is a mixture of four isotopes; 32 other unstable isotopes are known to exist. Three allotropic forms exist, with transition points at 235 and 540 °C.

Alkaline earth metal; valence of 2; 4 stable isotopes with atomic weights of: 88 (82.56%), 86 (9.86%), 87 (7.02%), 84 (0.56%); heated metal combines with hydrogen to form strontium hydride and with nitrogen to form strontium nitride.

Decomposes water on contact /Reacts with water to evolve hydrogen/

Standard enthalpy of formation at 298.15 K, 0.0 kJ/mol (crystal); entropy at 298.15 K, 55 J/mol-K (crystal); Heat capacity, 26.8 J/mol-K (crystal). Standard enthalpy of formation at 298.15 K,164.4 kJ/mol (gas phase); Gibbs free energy of formation, 130.9 kJ/mol (gas phase); entropy at 298.15 K, 164.6 J/mol-K (gas phase); Heat capacity 20.8 J/mol-K (gas phase).

For more Other Experimental Properties (Complete) data for STRONTIUM, ELEMENTAL (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 17.1% (52 of 304) of reports.

Danger

H260 (80.6%): In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously [Danger Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases]

P203, P223, P231+P232, P260, P264, P264+P265, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P335+P334, P302+P352, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P318, P321, P332+P317, P362+P364, P363, P370+P378, P402+P404, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 304 reports by companies from 11 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Danger

Chemical: Strontium

Strontium is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Strontium are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 05-10-2022 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/19651

Strontium: HSNO Approval: HSR006486 Approved with controls

The finely divided metal ignites spontaneously in air.

... Ignites when heated above its mp ...

Strontium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil, dust, coal, and oil. Naturally occurring strontium is not radioactive and is either referred to as stable strontium or strontium. Strontium in the environment exists in four stable isotopes,84Sr (read as strontium eighty-four),86Sr,87Sr,88Sr. Strontium compounds are used in making ceramics and glass products, pyrotechnics, paint pigments, fluorescent lights, and medicines. Strontium can also exist as several radioactive isotopes; the most common is90Sr.90Sr is formed in nuclear reactors or during the explosion of nuclear weapons. Radioactive strontium generates beta particles as it decays. One of the radioactive properties of strontium is half-life, or the time it takes for half of the isotope to give off its radiation and change into another substance. The half-life of90Sr is 29 years.

There are about 140 mg of strontium in the body of an average human male; Daily intake is about 2 mg with about 60-90% obtained from food and the remaining from water; [HSDB] Natural strontium is not radioactive and not harmful by skin contact or inhalation. Animal studies show that high oral doses of strontium can weaken bones, especially in growing animals with diets deficient in calcium. Strontium-90 is formed in nuclear reactors and in explosions of nuclear bombs. Strontium-90 gives off beta particles with a half-life of 29 years. It has some medical applications, but is mainly considered a waste product. Strontium-90 is taken up by the bone where it emits beta radiation. It can cause bone marrow suppression and cancer. [ATSDR PHS] Median strontium levels (personal air sampling) in six art glass factories in Italy were 0.5 ug/m3 for oven chargers and batch mixers and 0.1 ug/m3 for art glass makers and formers. [Reference #2] See Strontium-90.

Water-react. 1 (80.6%)

Pyrophoric solids - Category 1

(FL) FLORIDA 4,200 ug/L

(ME) MAINE 4200 ug/L

Powdered metallic strontium may constitute a fire and explosion hazard due to the fact that strontium reacts with water to evolve hydrogen; there is the hazard of a gas explosion when the metal is stored in presence of moisture.

Reacts with ... alcohol, acetoacetic acid and aniline to form hydrogen.

Reaction with halogens may lead to ignition. Vigorous reaction on contact with oxidizing materials.

The heated metal combines with hydrogen to form strontium hydride and with nitrogen to form strontium nitride.

Undergoes reactions characteristic of alkaline earth metals. Strong reducing agent.

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

Rinse mouth.

It should be kept under kerosene to prevent oxidation.

Metallic strontium ... should be stored in a cool, well ventilated place, away from organic and other easily oxidizable material.

... Store under naphtha.

Protect containers against physical damage. Store under liquid containing no oxygen.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Dissolve in a minimum amount of 6 molar hydrochloric acid and filter. Add filtrate to slight amount of 6 molar ammonium hydroxide by use of the litmus test. Precipitate with sufficient sodium carbonate. After filtration, wash and dry the ppt.

Processing of strontium should be carried out in enclosed plant and suitable ventilation and thermal insulation should be provided in working premises.

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.

Developmental (effects while organs are developing), Hematological (Blood Forming), Musculoskeletal (Muscles and Skeleton)

Musculoskeletal

Strontium

Musculoskeletal

6 x 10 ^-1 mg/kg-day

Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway. Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if needed. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with normal saline during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 mL/kg up to 200 mL of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressings after decontamination ... . /Poison A and B/

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in respiratory arrest. Positive pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias as necessary ... . Start an IV with D5W TKO /"To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. Watch for signs of fluid overload. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam (Valium) ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Poison A and B/

0.6

IRIS Current

2

ATSDR Final

2

ATSDR Final

Strontium

01080

Trace element

4000

Smith, C.D. and Nowell, L.H., 2024. Health-Based Screening Levels for evaluating water-quality data (3rd ed.). DOI:10.5066/F71C1TWP

4.70e+04

7.00e+05

1.20e+04

4.00e+03

4.20e+02

6.00e-01

1.40e+05

2.10e+06

3.60e+04

4.00e+03

6.00e-01

Volatile

(FL) FLORIDA 4,200 ug/L

(ME) MAINE 4200 ug/L

Used in fireworks, signal flares, and tracer bullets (red); [Merck Index] Used as an alloy and in electron tubes; [Hawley] Strontium compounds, such as strontium carbonate, are used in making ceramics and glass products, pyrotechnics, paint pigments, fluorescent lights, medicines, and other products. [ATSDR PHS] Strontium metal is used in aluminum castings, and strontium carbonate is used as getters in zinc production; [Reference #2]

Aluminum Producing [Category: Industry]

Ceramics making [Category: Hobbies]

In fireworks, in red signal flares; on tracer bullets. Eutectic modifier in Al-Ag casting alloys to improve strength and ductility. Innoculant in ductile iron casting to control graphite formation.

Added to alloys of tin and lead to add hardness and durability, deoxidizer in copper and bronze.

Alloys, "getter" in electron tubes

... Thermal reduction of the oxide with metallic aluminum (strontium aluminum alloy formed), and distilling the strontium in a vacuum.

Variant of the Pidgeon process: reaction of strontium oxide and aluminum is produced under vacuum where the strontium evolves as a gas and is transported through the production retort to a cooler end where it precipitates as a solid.

Grades: Technical

Available as a pure metal and as an alloy with aluminum or aluminum/magnesium.

Primary Metal Manufacturing

Strontium: ACTIVE

It is obtained in a state of 99.6% purity by thermit process, followed by re-distillation at 1000 °C ...

Purity of strontium production is based on the purity of the oxide /used to produce the strontium/

No strontium minerals have been produced in the US since 1959.