Introduction & Uses

Magnesium Hydroxide is also known as Brucite Marble or Mag-H.

Other synonyms are Brucite; Magnesia magma; Magnesium hydrate; Milk of magnesia.

Magnesium Hydroxide traditionally has 4 primary uses:

1. waste water treatment;
2. flame retardant in the plastics industry;
3. insecticide; and
4. dairy farm footbath replacing copper sulfate and lime.

However, Magnesium Hydroxide is increasingly used in specialist processes in a number of other industries, including vulcanisation in the rubber industry and also as an active compound in shrink-compensating concrete specifically used in dam construction.

Waste Water Treatment

Magnesium Hydroxide is used for the treatment of the “slurry” produced in the extraction of minerals. After the mineral ore is extracted, the remaining liquid is a “slurry” that often contains harmful chemicals. In order to discharge waste, it is first required to be made safe. Ecological and environmental issues require the adjustment and treatment of slurry. If untreated, it can harm drinking water supplies and damage the environment.

Magnesium Hydroxide is commonly used in the mining industry to adjust pH levels in “slurry” waste water. Magnesium Hydroxide is an environmentally friendly water treatment product for neutralising acids, precipitating heavy metasl and sulfur dioxide stack scrubbing. The application of Magnesium Hydroxide is particularly useful in the Copper Mining Industry.

Magnesium hydroxide is also used to control levels of amonia and hydrogen phosporous. Magnesium hydroxide replaces toxic polymers and ferric chlorite used for dewatering and controlling odor in sewage treatment. Magnesium Hydroxide can be used in the treatment of drinking water to help remove metals from waste streams.

Magnesium Hydroxide used in water treatment has similar effects to Calcium Carbonate and can be used as a less expensive substitute for Magnesium Oxide.

Uses in the Plastics Industry – Flame Retardant

Magnesium Hydroxide can be used in the plastics industry as a flame retardant filler.  Magnesium Hydroxide is fast becoming a preferred alternative to Alumnium Trihydrate (ATH, Alumina Trihydrate).

The grade of Magnesium Hydroxide available to Valetime Group is suitable for use as a flame retardent.

Uses in the Rubber Industry

Magnesium Hydroxide has applications as a new and versatile rubber chemical. Magnesium Hydroxide has been recommended as the inorganic base for the thiadiazole cure system in CPE (Chlorinated Polythene). Magnesium Hydroxide has commerical use as a vulcanising agent and can be used as a replacement to the traditionally-used magnesium oxide.

Uses in the Paper Industry

Magnesium Hydroxide in suspension has many applications in the bleaching of pulp. It can be used as a replacement to caustic soda and magnesium sulfate in pulp bleaching.

Insecticide, Organic Pesticide

Effective against bed bugs, roaches, ants and termites. When insects come in contact with the product, brucite’s micro abrasives cause scratches. Insects then dehydrate. The mechanical nature of this effect means insects cannot build resistance. 

Summary of uses

Absorbent, buffer in cosmetics; intermediate for obtaining magnesium metal; sugar refining; residual fuel oil additive; drying agent, alkali, nutrient supplement, color retention agent, pH control agent, processing aid in foods; sulfite pulp; uranium processing; dentifrices; flame retardant filler in plastics/rubber; extender pigment for flame retardant coatings; fluoride removal in water treatment; wastewater acid neutralization, desilication, heavy metals removal; alkali in dentifrices; emollient in skin creams; medicine (antacid, laxative); milk of magnesia 

Source

Origin: USA

Packaging

Magnesium Hydroxide is packed into 1MT “Super Sacks” FIBCs / “Big Bags”.

Loading

Loaded as 20MT x 20′ FCL

Duties information – EU Commodity Code / EINECS / TARIC

For import into the European Union (EU), Magnesium Hydroxide uses the TARIC code 2816 10 00 00.

Magnesium Hydroxide is specifically covered under Section: VI, Chapter: 28, Heading: 2816.

Magnesium Hydroxide is classified as: Hydroxide and peroxide of magnesium; oxides, hydroxides and peroxides, of strontium or barium.

EU TARIC Code:  2816 10 00 00

3rd Country duty into the EU: 4.10% (February, 2009).

Magnesium Hydroxide is not classified in the Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC.

Magnesium Hydroxide is not listed in the Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 689/2008

Specification

A full specification for Magnesium Hydroxide, origin USA, is available in PDF format:

Magnesium Hydroxide – Specification sheet

Basic information

CAS: 1309-42-8

EINECS/ELINCS:  215-170-3 (INS528; E528)

Synonyms:  Brucite; Magnesia magma; Magnesium hydrate; Milk of magnesia 

Classification: Inorganic base 

Empirical: H2MgO2 

Formula:  Mg(OH)2 

Properties:  White amorphous powder or colorless hexagonal crystals., odorless;  solubility in solution of ammonium salts and dilute acids; almost insoluble in water and alcohol; 

molecular weight: 58.33; 

density: 2.36; 

melting point: 350 C (dec.) 

Regulatory information:  FDA 21CFR §155.170, 176.180, 176.210, 184.1428, GRAS; Europe listed; UK approved; FDA approved for orals; BP, EP compliance 

Magnesium Hydroxide – Brucite

Brucite is a magnesium hydroxide Mg[(OH).sub.2]. It has a higher magnesium content than any other raw material, commonly used or considered as ore. Brucite forms soft, waxy to glassy, white, pale-green, grey or blue crystals, plate aggregates, rosettes, fibrous masses and fracture fillings. It is relatively soft (2.5 on the Mohs scale) and has a low density (2.38-2.40 g/[cm.sup.3]). It is soluble in hydrochloric acid but has no effervescence. Weathering transforms waxy, fresh brucite into a chalk-like material. 

Brucite is widely distributed in ultramafic rocks. It is also found in a variety of exotic settings such as kimberlites and carbonatites. Most of the economic brucite deposits appear to be hosted by marbles affected by high-temperature, low-pressure metamorphism. The fibrous variety of brucite, nemalite, is common in ultramafic rocks, where it coexists with chrysotile. The unfortunate association of brucite with asbestos in ultramafic settings, is the main reason why carbonate-hosted brucite deposits are the recommended and preferred exploration targets. A number of recent studies indicate that pure brucite is virtually harmless. 

Examples of carbonate-hosted brucite deposits of economic significance are Cross Quarry near Wakefield, Quebec, Canada; Kuldur, eastern Russia; Granasen, Norway; Gabbs magnesite–brucite deposit, Nye County, Nevada, USA and Marble Canyon, Culberson County, Texas, USA. 

Other undeveloped or exhausted brucite deposits occur in China, Arizona, United Kingdom, Ireland, North Korea and Canada. 

Safety Information

If you require further safety information for Magnesium Hydroxide, then please contact us for a MSDS.

Stability: Stable

Toxicology: Not believed to be harmful.

Transport Information: Non-hazardous for air, sea and road freight.

Personal Protection: Avoid contact with the eyes.

Safety information from PTCL Safety web site, Oxford University.