Definition

The most ordinary strontium mineral, celestite, which consists mainly of strontium sulfate, was imported exclusively from Mexico. A company in Georgia was the only major U.S. producer of strontium compounds, and analysis of celestite import data indicates that production at this operation has decreased substantially since 2001.

Properties

Strontium is a grey/silvery metal that is softer than calcium and even more reactive in water, with which strontium reacts on contact to manufacture strontium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. It burns in air to produce both strontium oxide and strontium nitride, but since it does not react with nitrogen below 380°C it will only form the oxide spontaneously at room temperature.

World Resources

Application

1. Sr is the active component in Metastron, a radiopharmaceutical used for bone pain secondary to metastatic bone cancer. The strontium acts like calcium and is preferentially included into bone at sites of increased osteogenesis. This localization focuses the radiation exposure on the cancerous lesion.
2. Sr is also used in cancer therapy. Its beta emission and long half-life is ideal for superficial radiotherapy.
3. Strontium is one of the constituents of AJ62 alloy, a durable magnesium alloy used in car and motorcycle engines by BMW.