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What Is Strontium Used for?

Strontium is an alkaline earth metal that appears with either a yellowish or silver-white coloring. The element is highly reactive to a number of chemicals, making it ideal for a variety of uses. Strontium is found most commonly in celestine and strontianite. The element is also found as a byproduct of radioactive fallout following an atomic blast or in nuclear waste.

Function
- The most prominent use of strontium is in an aluminum alloy that can be used with cathode ray tubes to help protect humans from X-ray emissions in traditional color televisions.
Significance
- Strontium is used heavily in medical equipment. It is a power source for radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). It can also be used in radiation cancer therapy. This is generally gathered from nuclear waste.
Features
- A durable magnesium alloy known as AJ62 that uses strontium is used to construct a variety of motor engines. This was first implemented by BMW and is more durable than most metals.
Considerations
- A variety of scientists throughout the 1960s and 1970s used strontium to determine the flow of sediment in rivers and small bodies of water. They found that strontium introduced to water could be tracked to its eventual location.
Potential
- Strontium also acts much like calcium in the human body. According to the American Cancer Society, it has been found to promote the regrowth of human bone tissues.

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