Magnesium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Mg(OH)2 in the form of white crystals obtained by combining water with magnesium oxide. It occurs in nature as the mineral brucite. On an industrial scale, this compound is obtained by treating a saline solution with lime.
Physical and chemical properties of magnesium hydroxide
|
Property |
Value |
|
Chemical formula |
Mg(OH)2 |
|
Substance type |
inorganic |
|
Appearance |
colourless trigonal crystals |
|
Colour |
white, colourless |
|
State of aggregation (at 20 °C and atmospheric pressure of 1 atm) |
solid |
|
Density (solid state of matter at 20 °C), kg/m3 |
2344.6 |
|
Density (solid state of matter at 20 °C), g/cm3 |
2.3446 |
|
Melting point, °C |
350 |
|
Molar weight, g/mol |
58.35 |
Production technology
Ural Plant of Deicing Materials (UZPM) produces magnesium hydroxide synthetically from natural brine containing magnesium salts.
Technical properties:
Scope of application
The magnesium hydroxide is widely used in industry. It is applied as a fire retardant in the production of thermoplastics and polymer compositions. Magnesium hydroxide plays an important role in the manufacture of non-combustible wires and cables (automobile and halogen-free cables) and roofing sheets. Moreover, the magnesium hydroxide is used in electrical engineering and electronics to produce frames, connecting elements, cable channels, profiles, pipes, shipping containers. As a flocculant, magnesium hydroxide is used for purification of natural and waste waters, as well as in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries. Magnesium hydroxide is often used as a substitute for certain alloys.
Main uses of magnesium hydroxide
|
Use |
Application details |
|
Production of fire-resistant polymer compositions, paintwork materials and plastics |
Used as a filler and fire retardant for polymer compositions, paintwork materials and plastics |
|
Food industry |
Used as a food additive E528; emulsifier, acidity regulator; as a component for sugar production |
|
Production of chemical reagents, chemical industry |
Used for producing pure and high-purity chemicals, reagents, magnesium oxide |
|
Medicine, cosmetic, pharmaceutical industry |
Used as a component of medicines and cosmetics; antacid |
|
Environmental protection |
Used as a flocculant for natural and waste water treatment |
|
Agriculture |
Production of mineral fertilizers |
Magnesium hydroxide produced by UZPM
Magnesium hydroxide produced by UZPM is recommended as a raw material for obtaining magnesium oxide, as well as a component for the production of:
Agricultural products
Neutralizing agent of compositions for water and industrial gases purification
Fire retardant and filler for polymeric materials
