Production of Strontium through a Vacuum Aluminothermic Process

Abstract

The production of strontium (Sr) metal from its oxide via an aluminothermic process under 1–5 mbar pressure was examined in this study. SrO of 99% purity by weight was used in the experiments. The effects of stoichiometry and the duration of the process on the efficiency ratio of the metallic strontium were examined. The effects of functional additives (BaO, CaO, CaC2) were also examined. Characterization was carried out using X-ray diffraction spectrometry (XRD), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and flame photometry techniques. The highest Sr efficiency ratio obtained was 96.89% in the experiment conducted at 1250 °C with 300% Al stoichiometry and 300% BaO stoichiometry.