Magnesium Oxide

Synonyms:

Magnesia, calcinated magnesia

Chemical formula:

MgO

International name:

Magnesium Oxide

Grade:

AR

Appearance:

White powder

MAGNESIUM OXIDE (magnesia) MgO is colorless crystals. Magnesium oxide volatility gets appreciable at 2,000°С. Solubility of magnesium oxide in water is slight. In a fine crystalline state, as a fine white powder (so called amorphous MgO), absorbs vapors and CO2 from the air forming Mg (OH)2 and MgCO3, easily interacts with acids. Strongly ignited magnesium oxide loses its ability to absorb water and dissolve in acids.

Production:

In nature, magnesium oxide occurs as a rare mineral periclase. In industry, magnesium oxide is produced by magnesite and dolomite roasting, thermal decomposition of magnesium sulphate, basic carbonate 3MgCO3xMg(OH)2x3H2O (white magnesia). End product properties (calcinated magnesia) depend on the conditions of its production, and its grades differ by bulk weight (levity), sorption ability, chemical activity, etc.

Application:

• heavy grades of magnesium oxide are used in production of refractory materials;
• less heavy – for production of magnesium cements and construction materials;
• light – for refining oil products and as a filler in rubber industry;
• in medicine, magnesium oxide (called calcinated magnesia) is used orally as an alkaline agent in gastric juice acidity and in case of acid intoxication, etc.