Magnesium hydroxide
General Product Information
| Article | Magnesium hydroxide |
| Synonyms | Magnesium dihydroxide, Milk of magnesia |
| CAS No. | 1309-42-8 |
| EEG No. | – |
| EINECS No. | 215-170-3 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 28161000 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Magnesium hydroxide is a white, odorless, fine powder or suspension widely used in the industrial and chemical sectors. It is known for its alkaline properties, thermal stability and environmental friendliness. Commercially, it is used as a flame retardant additive, neutralizer, filler and pH regulator. Its safe and mild action makes it a versatile substance for a variety of applications.
Characteristics
- Odor: Odorless.
- Hygroscopic: –
- Color: White.
- Grade: Technical.
- Solubility: Poorly soluble in water.
- Shape: crystalline powder or suspension.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | Mg(OH)2 |
| Molar Weight | 58.32 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 350 °C (decomposes) |
| Boiling Point | – |
| Density | 2.36 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | Approx. 10.5 (in suspension) |
Applications
Magnesium hydroxide is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Environment & Water Treatment
Magnesium hydroxide is widely used to neutralize acidic industrial waste streams, as a pH buffer in water treatment plants and at flue gas desulfurization.
2. Agriculture
Used as a soil conditioner to correct the pH of acidic soils.
3. Plastics industry & Construction Sector
As a fire retardant additive, magnesium hydroxide is used in cable insulation, plastic components and building materials.
Interessing Links
- CAS Common Chemistry – Magnesium Hydroxide
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- PubChem – Magnesium Hydroxide – Chemical information by the National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH-NCBI).
- Wikipedia – Magnesium hydroxide