Introduction
Magnesium oxide ceramic also called MgO plays a very important role in advanced materials application.
Why?
This is because of the characteristics and features it has.
These include high thermal resistance, stability, and lots more
In this article, you will get insight into its properties, applications, and relevance in simple terms.
What Is Magnesium Oxide Ceramic?
It is called magnesium oxide ceramic because it is made from magnesium oxide (MgO).
Magnesium oxide also known as (MgO) is a compound that consists of magnesium , silicon, and clay.
It is classified as ceramic because it has a strong non-metallic nature.
It also has the ability to withstand very high temperatures.
This quality makes it very suitable for industries that need durable and heat-resistant materials.
MgO also have excellent electrical insulation properties, these properties among so many others make them ideal for several electronic usage.
They are non-toxic, thus making them less harmful to the environment at large.
They can also be gotten from easily available resources.
MgO are very adaptable and this quality makes them a very good instrument in many industries.
Important Properties Of Magnesium Oxide Ceramic
Magnesium oxide ceramic (MgO) has many importance, let’s have a look at some of them:
-
Excellent thermal resistance: MgO is an excellent material for extreme furnaces and kilns, just as mentioned earlier, this is because they can withstand very high temperatures.
-
Superior electrical insulation: This feature makes it a perfect tool in electronics.
-
Corrosion resistance: MgO ceramics can resist chemical reactions and they also have a longer lifespan.
-
Mechanical strength: They can withstand high forces without deforming or losing its use.
What Are The Common Applications Of Magnesium Oxide Ceramics?
MgO ceramic has several applications and uses.
This is as a result of their versatility and also because they are application-oriented, some of which include:
-
Thermal Applications: Found in heating elements, furnaces, and high-temperature insulation.
-
Medical Devices: They can be used for radiology equipment that is nonreactive and chemically stable.
-
Electronics: They are used as resistors and capacitors because of their electrical insulation capabilities.
-
Construction Materials: These materials can be combined with cement and refractories for improved durability.
Is Magnesium Oxide a Ceramic?
The answer is Yes, magnesium oxide is regarded as a ceramic.
MgO are often referred to as magnesia and they are very reputable for high thermal conductivity, and practical usage in applications like thermal engineering.
All these are as of its high-temperature performance.
Magnesium Oxide has several features of ceramics.
These features include: a melting point that is high, electrically insulating, and also resistant to mechanical wear.
These are ingredients for industries that manufacture these sorts of materials.
Comparison of Magnesium Oxide with Other Ceramic Materials
Now, if magnesium oxide is really more unique than other ceramic materials and at the same time, is still a ceramic material.
What then are the reasons for this uniqueness?
Compared to some other ceramics like aluminum oxide and silicon carbide, magnesium oxide has some very distinct features.
What are they?
-
Highly Resistance
MgO ceramics have high resistance capabilities even in alkaline environments.
This is unlike other ceramic materials that aren’t suited for such toxic conditions.
This makes MgO is an ideal option for companies interested in chemical processing.
-
Cost Effectiveness
Unlike other ceramic materials, MgO is less expensive to produce.
It is more affordable and still provides mind-blowing benefits over other expensive ceramic materials.
-
Temperature Stability
Magnesium oxides are undoubtedly the best choice for usages that involve extreme heat.
They can withstand temperatures as high as 2800°C.
-
Excellent Thermal Conductivity
Magnesium oxides are perfect materials for usages that involves the transfer of heat and other electrical insulations.
-
Easily Reconstructed
Unlike other tough ceramics, MgO can be easily cut up and reshaped into other designs.
And this wouldn’t affect its quality whatsoever.
These characteristics make magnesium oxide a unique ceramic material for various industries unlike other existing g ceramic materials.
What Are The Materials Of Magnesium Oxide?
Magnesium oxide is a natural compound that can be manufactured in various forms such as ceramics.
The most common sources of magnesium oxide are magnesite and seawater.
Afterward, these materials are then processed into fine powder or solid form for different industries.
The Production of Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium oxide is primarily gotten through two means, before its production.
The first is by precipitation from the sea and the second is by the thermal decomposition of magnesium carbonate.
Let’s take a deeper insight into what they are and how they work:
-
Precipitation From seawater or Brine
Magnesium oxide is gotten from seawater in areas with vast marine resources.
Calcium oxide (Lime) is added to the seawater and this causes magnesium hydroxide to precipitate.
These precipitated materials are then retrieved and heated to convert them to magnesium oxide.
This first method is especially used to produce MgO for environmental uses.
-
Thermal Decomposition of Magnesium Carbonate
Here, magnesite (a material rich in magnesium carbonate) is broken down and then heated at high temperatures.
While heating, the magnesium carbonate decomposes and, in the process, it produces carbon dioxide and magnesium oxide (MgO).
This method is the most ideal when it comes to producing high-quality MgO.
How To Work With MgO Ceramic Materials
MgO ceramics are very brittle in nature, so they need to be handled with care.
Let’s look at some of the tips you need to consider when handling them:
-
Storage: Store them in dry environments so as to prevent moisture absorption.
-
Machining: Use diamond-tipped tools when shaping MgO ceramics.
-
Safety: Wear protective equipment when cutting or shaping them, this is because ceramic dust can be harmful if inhaled.
What Are The Benefits Of Magnesium Oxide Ceramic
In contrast to other materials, MgO ceramic stands out over other ceramics.
How is this so? Let’s check it out below:
-
It functions more effectively even in high-temperature environments;
-
Reliability is ensured with Magnesium Oxide Ceramic because of the stability of the chemicals it has.
-
It is more cost-effective, at certain specifications, for industrial applications.
Major Companies Manufacturing Magnesium Oxide Ceramics
Below are five of the leading companies that manufacture quality MgO ceramic products:
-
CoorsTek: They’re an innovator in ceramic solutions;
-
Kyocera: They manufacture ceramics for multiple industries;
-
Saint-Gobain: They major in high-performance ceramics;
-
Morgan Advanced Materials: They produce tailored Ceramic Products;
-
CeramTec: They deliver ceramic products for demanding Applications.
In Conclusion
Magnesium oxide ceramic is a very valuable material that enables high performance in many industries.
It has several distinctive properties which include high thermal resistance and electrical insulation, and these materials are indispensable in modern applications.
With the many uses and advantages it has, MgO ceramic is still one of the cornerstones in advanced material science.