Functional Roles
Industries Served
Physical Properties
physical_description
White odorless solid; [Hawley] Colorless or white solid; Hygroscopic in powdered form; [CHEMINFO] White odorless powder; [MSDSonline] Practically insoluble in water; [JECFA]
color/form
White, hexagonal crystals
odor
Odorless
melting_point
350 u00b0C (decomposes)
solubility
White, friable masses or bulky, white powder; at about 700 u00b0C is converted to MgO; sol in about 3,300 parts CO2-free water; more sol in water containing CO2; sol in dilute acids with effervescence; insol in alcohol /Magnesium carbonate hydroxide/
density
2.36 g/mL
ph
pH = 9.5-10.5 (aqueous slurry)
refractive_index
Index of refraction: 1.559, 1.580
other_experimental_properties
Opaque, more or less viscous suspension from which water usually separates on standing; alkaline to litmus and phenolphthalein /Milk of Magnesia USP/
Chemical Identity
| CAS Number | 1309-42-8 |
| IUPAC Name | magnesium dihydroxide |
| InChI Key | VTHJTEIRLNZDEV-UHFFFAOYSA-L |
| PubChem CID | 73981 |
| INCI Name | MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE |
Synonyms & Trade Names
Full Description
Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)2, CAS 1309-42-8) is a white, friable powder that functions as a flame retardant and pH adjustment agent in industrial applications. This specialty additive provides thermal decomposition at 350°C and density of 2.36 g/mL, making it suitable for use in industrial manufacturing, plastics and polymers, textiles, and water treatment processes. The compound offers dual functionality through its flame retardancy properties and ability to control pH levels in various industrial systems.