Magnesium Oxide Is Produced From Abundant Raw Materials, Including Magnesite, Dolomite And Seawater

Magnesium oxide, with the chemical formula MgO, is an oxide of magnesium. With its unique physical and chemical properties, it plays an important role in many fields such as industry, medicine, and food. Hebei Meiyue Technology Co., Ltd. introduces the properties, production methods, product types, and wide application fields of magnesium oxide.

Magnesium oxide, as a white and odorless inorganic compound, plays an indispensable role in modern industry with its unique physical and chemical properties. This article will explore in depth the basic characteristics, production process, product classification, and application of magnesium oxide in different fields.

Specifications

1. Physical properties

Magnesium oxide appears as a white or off-white powder at room temperature, with odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic properties. Its melting point is as high as 2852°C, and its boiling point reaches 3600°C, showing extremely high thermal stability. The density is 3.58g/cm³, and its solubility in water is extremely low. It is almost insoluble in alcohol, but soluble in acid and ammonium salt solutions. Magnesium oxide has strong refractive properties in the visible and near-ultraviolet ranges, high resistivity, and good stability, but it should be noted that it is incompatible with certain halogen compounds.

2. Chemical properties

As an alkaline oxide, magnesium oxide has the general property of reacting with acid to form salt and water. It reacts slowly with water, but can be accelerated under certain conditions. In the air, magnesium oxide easily absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide and gradually converts into basic magnesium carbonate.

3. Production method

The raw materials for the production of magnesium oxide are abundant, including magnesite, dolomite and seawater. The main production methods are thermal decomposition, that is, magnesium oxide is obtained by high-temperature decomposition of magnesite or dolomite; seawater method, magnesium hydroxide precipitation is obtained by treating seawater, and then magnesium oxide is obtained by burning; brine method, magnesium chloride brine blocks or brine after bromine extraction are used as raw materials to generate magnesium hydroxide or basic magnesium carbonate precipitation, and then burn to obtain magnesium oxide.

4. Product types

Magnesium oxide products are mainly divided into light magnesium oxide and heavy magnesium oxide. Light magnesium oxide is loose in volume, a white amorphous powder with a large specific surface area and adsorption, and is widely used in catalysts, rubber fillers, flame retardants for building materials and other fields. Heavy magnesium oxide is compact in volume, high in density, small in specific surface area, and low in chemical activity. It is mainly used in the manufacture of high-temperature refractory materials and refractory crucibles.

5. Application fields

Magnesium oxide has a wide range of applications. It is used in the production of magnesia products, lubricant processing, silicon steel grade applications, etc. in the industrial field; in the medical field, it is used as an antacid and laxative to treat diseases such as hyperacidity and duodenal ulcers; in the food field, it is used as a food additive, color stabilizer and pH regulator. In addition, magnesium oxide is also used in industries such as ceramics, enamel, glass, dyes, raw materials for optical coatings, and as sports anti-slip powder.

Theory (Background)

Magnesium oxide consists of Mg²⁺ ions and O²⁻ ions bound together through ionic bonds to form a crystal lattice. At high temperatures, magnesium oxide exhibits excellent physical and chemical stability, making it a model system for studying crystal vibration characteristics. Additionally, magnesium oxide is widely regarded as the most effective metal stabilizer compared to silicate cement, lime, and others due to its superior buffering capacity, cost-effectiveness, and ease/safety of operation.

Services

Magnesium oxide enterprises should establish an application technology department with professional technical service personnel. These personnel should possess extensive knowledge and experience in production processes, technology, and magnesium oxide applications, enabling them to provide professional technical support and solutions to customers.

Packaging and Storage

Magnesium oxide should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated warehouse, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperatures. The warehouse should be kept away from fire sources and heat to prevent magnesium oxide from undergoing chemical reactions or fires due to high temperatures. The packaging of magnesium oxide should be intact to prevent leakage, damage, or dropping during transportation. According to the HG/T 2573-2012 standard, the packaging of industrial light magnesium oxide must comply with specific regulations.

Preventive Measures

1. Industrial Protection: Operators should wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as dust masks, chemical safety goggles, breathable work clothes, and rubber gloves, during industrial use.
2. Medical Monitoring: When using magnesium oxide preparations in the medical field, they should be used as prescribed by a doctor to avoid long-term or excessive use, which may cause harm to the human body.
3. Environmental Monitoring: During storage and transportation, clear emergency response plans should be in place to address potential leaks or other emergencies.