Barium chromate (CAS: 10294-40-3)

Barium chromate, named barium tetraoxochromate(VI) by the IUPAC, is a yellow sand like powder

with the formula BaCrO4. It is a known oxidizing agent and produces a green flame when heated,

a result of the barium ions.

Common Uses

Barium chromate has been found to be useful in many capacities. often the compound is used

as a carrier for the chromium ions.

One such case is the use of barium chromate as a sulfate scavenger in chromium electroplating baths. 

Over time the chromium concentration of the bath will decrease until the bath is no longer functional.

Adding barium chromate enhances the life of the bath by adding to the chromic acid concentration.

Barium chromate is an oxidizing agent, making it useful as a burn rate modifier in pyrotechnic

compositions. It is especially useful in delay compositions such as delay fuses.

Barium chromate is used as a corrosion inhibitive pigment when zinc-alloy electroplating surfaces.

When mixed with solid fumaric acid, barium chromate can be used in the removal of impurities and

residual moisture from organic dry-cleaning solvents or from petroleum fuels.

Barium chromate is also used in the composition of a catalyst for alkane dehydration.

Barium has also been used to color paints. The pigment known as lemon yellow often

contained barium chromate mixed with lead sulfate.