Chemical laboratory

Magnesium Hydroxide

High-Purity Alkaline Compound for Industrial Applications

  • CAS 1309-42-8
  • Formula Mg(OH)₂
  • Flash Pt N/A °C
  • Density 2.3446 g/cm³
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Physical & Chemical Properties

Property Value Unit
Boiling point N/A (Decomposes) °C
Flash point N/A °C
Density 2.3446 g/cm³ g/cm³
Solubility 0.0009 g/100 mL (18°C) -
Ph 10.5 (saturated solution) -
Molecular weight 58.3197 g/mol g/mol
Melting point N/A °C
Vapor pressure N/A mmHg
Autoignition temp N/A -
Appearance White powder -
Odor Odorless -
Vapor density N/A g/cm³

Overview

Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) is a white, odorless inorganic compound widely used across industrial applications for its alkaline properties and thermal stability. With a molecular weight of 58.32 g/mol and low water solubility of 0.0009 g/100 mL at 18°C, this versatile chemical serves as an effective flame retardant, pH neutralizer, and processing aid in numerous manufacturing processes.

Key Applications

  • Flame Retardant: Provides excellent fire resistance in plastics, textiles, and building materials by releasing water vapor when heated, diluting combustible gases
  • pH Neutralization: Effectively neutralizes acidic solutions in wastewater treatment and industrial processes with its high pH of 10.5 in saturated solution
  • Flue Gas Desulfurization: Removes sulfur dioxide from industrial emissions, making it essential for environmental compliance in power plants and manufacturing facilities
  • PVC Formulations: Acts as a heat stabilizer and acid scavenger in polyvinyl chloride production, preventing degradation during processing

Safety & Handling

Magnesium Hydroxide is generally considered safe to handle, with no flash point or autoignition temperature due to its non-flammable nature. However, proper personal protective equipment including safety glasses, gloves, and dust masks should be worn to prevent inhalation of fine particles. Adequate ventilation is recommended when handling large quantities to minimize dust exposure. The compound decomposes rather than melts, releasing water vapor at elevated temperatures.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store Magnesium Hydroxide in a cool, dry place away from acids and moisture to prevent caking and maintain product quality. Use sealed containers such as fiber drums, super sacks, or moisture-resistant bags to protect from humidity. The compound is incompatible with strong acids, which can cause violent neutralization reactions. When stored properly, magnesium hydroxide maintains its effectiveness indefinitely with minimal degradation.

Why Alliance Chemical

Alliance Chemical provides reliable supply of high-quality Magnesium Hydroxide from our Taylor, Texas facility with same-day shipping capabilities. We offer flexible delivery options including UPS for smaller quantities and LTL/FTL freight for bulk orders. Every shipment includes comprehensive Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificates of Analysis (COA) to ensure compliance with your quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Shipping & Availability

Parcel Shipping

UPS Ground supports pints, quarts, and most 1-gallon packages nationwide.

LTL Freight

5-gallon pails, drums, and totes move via LTL carriers such as ABF Freight, SEFL, Saia, and XPO.

Full Truckload

FTL available for palletized bulk orders. Competitive freight rates.

Local Pickup

Same-day pickup at our Taylor, TX warehouse for Texas customers.

SDS, COA, and TDS available for every product • Same-day shipping on orders before 1 PM CT

Frequently Asked Questions

What is magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) and what is it used for?
Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) is an inorganic basic compound used as an industrial chemical and laboratory reagent. Common applications include pH neutralization, filler and flame‑retardant additive in polymers, and general laboratory uses.
How should magnesium hydroxide be stored and what is its shelf life?
Store in a cool, dry, well‑ventilated area in tightly closed containers away from acids and moisture. It is chemically stable and can remain usable indefinitely if kept dry, though many suppliers recommend retesting or replacing material after 1–3 years depending on grade and packaging.
What are the key safety and handling precautions for magnesium hydroxide?
Avoid inhalation of dust and contact with eyes or skin by using appropriate PPE (dust mask/respirator, safety glasses, gloves). It is not combustible, but reacts with strong acids (exothermic); manage spills by sweeping up to minimize dust and consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
How do different concentrations or forms of magnesium hydroxide affect performance?
Magnesium hydroxide is supplied as dry powders and as aqueous slurries; higher solids/slurry concentrations improve handling for pumping while powders are used where low moisture and high surface area are needed. Particle size and purity significantly influence reactivity, settling behavior, and filler performance.
What documentation is available for magnesium hydroxide?
Suppliers typically provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and Technical Data Sheet (TDS); additional regulatory documents (e.g., REACH information) may be available on request. For critical uses request batch‑specific COAs and any required compliance certificates.
How is magnesium hydroxide shipped and what packaging options are available?
Common packaging includes FIBC (bulk bags), multi‑wall paper or plastic bags, drums, and ISO tanks for slurries; palletized shipments are typical for bagged product. It is generally not classified as a hazardous material for transport, but confirm local shipping regulations and any restrictions for fine powders or contaminated material.
What materials is magnesium hydroxide compatible or incompatible with?
Magnesium hydroxide is compatible with glass, many plastics, and stainless steel under typical conditions, but it reacts with strong acids and can corrode some reactive metals. Avoid contact with halogenated oxidizers and perform compatibility testing for prolonged contact or specific process conditions.
What are typical technical specifications for magnesium hydroxide?
Typical specifications include chemical formula Mg(OH)2, purity ranging from ~70% to >99% depending on grade, loss on ignition ~30–33% (theoretical ≈30.9%), bulk density ~0.5–1.2 g/cm3, and particle sizes from submicron to >100 µm. Ask the supplier for grade‑specific values for moisture, particle size distribution, and impurity limits.
Which industries and applications commonly use magnesium hydroxide?
Major uses include wastewater neutralization, flue gas treatment and desulfurization, polymer and rubber fillers and flame‑retardant systems, ceramics, and laboratory reagents. It is selected where basic neutralization, inert filler properties, or flame‑retardant functionality is required.
How can I purchase magnesium hydroxide and what should I ask suppliers?
Magnesium hydroxide is available from chemical distributors and manufacturers in various grades, pack sizes, and quantities from single bags to bulk truckloads. When requesting quotes, ask about grade, COA availability, lead time, minimum order quantity, packaging options, and sample availability.

Documentation & Downloads

Safety Data Sheet
SDS / MSDS
Request COA
Certificate of Analysis
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Available for all products

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