Barium Carbonate

A source of barium oxide, a flux which increases refractive index imparting brilliance to gloss glazes. It can also be used to produce striking blue matte glazes with copper and cobalt oxides. It is toxic by ingestion. similar glaze results are possible by replacing 100 g barium carbonate with 75 g strontium carbonate.

For more information on barium carbonate, see the Digitalfire.com Reference Library of ceramic materials.

WARNING: This is a very toxic substance causing lung and kidney damage, heart disorders and nervous system disorders with possible paralysis and death. It is a skin, eye and respiratory tract irritant. Acute exposure to the skin and eyes causes redness and pain. Inhalation causes sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath and possible paralysis. Ingestion causes abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, faintness, convulsions and paralysis of arms and legs.