Uses of Alkaline Earth Metals

Uses of beryllium. Because of its low atomic number and very low X-ray absorption, beryllium is used to make the radiation windows for X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors, and sample holders in X-ray emission studies are usually made of it too. Being transparent to energetic particles, it is used to build the "beam pipe" of particle accelerators; and because of its low density and diamagnetic nature, it is used in various kinds of detectors.

Uses of magnesium. Removing sulphur from iron and steel; as photoengraving plates in the printing industry; magnesium alloys in aeroplane and missile construction; magnesium ribbon in the synthesis of Grignard reagents for organic synthesis; alloyed with aluminium to improve its mechanical, fabrication and welding properties; as a desiccant; and as a sacrificial anode to control galvanic corrosion.

Uses of calcium. As a reducing agent in the metallurgy of uranium, zirconium and thorium; as a deoxidiser, desulphuriser or decarboniser for various ferrous and non-ferrous alloys; in making cement and mortar for construction; as a "getter" in vacuum tubes; for dehydrating oils; and in fertilisers, concrete and plaster of Paris.

Uses of strontium. The radioisotope ⁹⁰Sr is used in cancer therapy; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratios are used in marine investigations, as well as in studying teeth, tracking animal migrations, and criminal forensics; strontium isotopes are also used for dating rocks and as a radioactive tracer for determining the source of ancient archaeological materials such as timbers and coins. …