What is "barium sulfate"

n. a white insoluble radiopaque powder used as a pigment [syn: barium sulphate, blanc fixe]

Barium sulfate (or sulphate) is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula BaSO. It is a white crystalline solid that is odorless and insoluble in water. It occurs as the mineral barite, which is the main commercial source of barium and materials prepared from it. The white opaque appearance and its high density are exploited in its main applications.