Sulfur is a non-metallic native element that has wide industrial applications and in daily life as we will see below. Naturally, sulfur is a native mineral that appears with a striking yellow color and in a solid state, it can be easily recognized because it gives off an odor similar to rotten eggs. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is very low at 1.5 to 2.5.
It is also characterized because it is a very reactive mineral and easily combinable with other elements or minerals, hence its importance in that many sulfur-based products can be manufactured.
What is sulfur used for?
Elemental sulfur is usually used in some products such as black powder, in matches, as an additive in fireworks, in the treatment and vulcanization of rubber, as an element in fungicides, as an additive in insecticides and also in fumigants.
In addition, it is also usually used for the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers in the treatment of some skin diseases such as dermatological use. However, it should be mentioned that the most important uses and applications of sulfur consist in the manufacture of certain compounds or chemical products such as sulfuric acid and sulfur dioxide.
Other equally interesting applications is that sulfur is also used in the oil industry to refine crude oil. It is also used in the production of some types of pigments, in the manufacture of steel, in the manufacture of detergents and plastics. In addition some elemental sulfur based chemicals such as barium sulfate are used to perform x-rays in clinics.
Finally, dermatological products can also be created to treat acne, and shampoos to treat dandruff.
Uses of sulfur
Sulfur in the manufacture of gunpowder and matches
Sulfur corresponds to around 10% of the total mass that makes up gunpowder together with carbon and potassium nitrate.
Gunpowder is used mainly to propel projectiles in firearms and also for fireworks that are seen at festivities.
The well-known matches or matches also contain sulfur, the sulfur is put on the tip of the match that surrounds the wood and when rubbed on a surface it ignites the match.
Sulfur in the vulcanization of rubber and manufacture of car tires
This is one of the most important uses of sulfur, it consists of a process in which newly manufactured raw rubber is heated in the presence of sulfur, making it harder and more resistant to cold.
This process is called vulcanization of rubber in honor of the Vulcan God, the Goodyear company in the year 1839 accidentally overturned a container with sulfur and rubber on top of a stove and it was noticed that that mixture hardened and became waterproof and is now used for the vulcanization of rubber in the manufacture of car tires.
Sulfur as a fungicide and fumigant in agriculture
It also stands out as an important use and application of sulfur that acts as a defense agent against pests and diseases that plants have in agriculture.
Sulfur as a fungicide began to be used approximately from the year 150 after Christ, however not long ago it became an agricultural practice more or less from the years 1845 in England, where elemental sulfur was used with great success to control fungi. in sugar beet cultivation.
Since then, very effective sulfur-based fungicides have been created that help combat diseases and pests that can appear in crops.
You can learn more about this very important technique by clicking here.
Sulfur in the production of sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid is one of the most widely used chemical products due to its various industrial applications and it is also an element or ingredient in other chemical products widely used today.
Sulfur contributes as the main element in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, which in turn is used in the petrochemical and agrochemical industry to obtain various types of fertilizers. In addition, they are also used for the production of various detergents, paper, textiles and among other products.
Uses in the manufacture of chemicals
Sulfur is very important because it has wide applications in the chemical industry for the manufacture of chemicals that are used in various industries.
For example sulfur dioxide used as a bleaching agent and to create disinfectants and refrigerants.
Another example is sodium bisulfite that is used in the white paper production or manufacturing industry.
Carbon disulfide is used as an organic solvent agent, while hydrogen sulfide is used as a reagent in the chemical industry.
Sulfur in dermatological products
Sulfur is often an ingredient in the manufacture of fda-approved products that fight acne on the skin. This element is combined with silicic acid and benzoyl peroxide to make these products.
Applying sulfur-containing jelly to the skin has also been shown to be quite an effective treatment for scabies caused by mites.
Sulfur in the treatment of dandruff
There are several types of shampoos that are created based on sulfur and silicic acid, both of which have been proven to be effective in treating dandruff.
For dandruff treatment at least use that sulfur based shampoo twice a day for 5 weeks.
Sulfur in goldsmithing
Finally we can mention that the sulfur element is also applied in goldsmithing, especially for the oxidation of silver, this means that it is applied in the creation of silver sheets that will later be used in carving or forging artistic objects based on silver.