17 Sep Magnesium Oxide Wallboard and Its Fireproof Properties
Table of Contents
You can count on magnesium oxide wallboard to keep buildings safe from fire. It has an A1 fire rating. This means it does not burn or help fire spread. See how it meets the top standard:
A1 Fire Rating Definition | How MgO Wallboard Meets A1 Standard |
|---|---|
Non-flammable material that does not help fire spread | It does not burn and resists heat, proven by tests |
Cannot burn, start fires, or spread flames | It works like a shield, slows fire, and lets out water vapor when hot |
Must pass tough tests for flame spread and smoke | Gets a score from 0 to 25 for flame spread, which means fire spreads very slowly and smoke stays under 450 |
Fire safety is important when you build homes or offices. Magnesium oxide wallboard stays strong in high heat and helps protect people by slowing fire and smoke.
Key Takeaways
Magnesium oxide wallboard has an A1 fire rating. This means it does not burn. It does not help fire spread. It keeps buildings safer.
This wallboard can handle very high heat. It stays strong up to 1200°C (about 2,192°F). This makes it good for places with fire risk.
Many materials make toxic gases or thick smoke in a fire. Magnesium oxide wallboard does not do this. It helps keep air cleaner for people inside.
Using magnesium oxide wallboard gives people more time to escape in a fire. This makes homes and buildings safer for everyone.
The wallboard is eco-friendly. It is made from natural minerals. It can be recycled. This helps make building better for the planet.
Magnesium oxide wallboard fireproof rating
A1 fire rating
Magnesium oxide wallboard is trusted for fire safety. It has the highest fire resistance rating, called A1. This means it does not burn or help fire spread. It also passes tough safety tests. The A1 rating checks how materials react to fire in different ways.
Requirement | |
|---|---|
Non-combustibility test | Temperature rise ≤ 30 °C, mass loss ≤ 50 %, no sustained flaming |
Gross heat of combustion test | Gross calorific potential under 2.0 MJkg−1 for homogeneous products and substantial components of non-homogeneous products |
Materials exempt from testing | Mineral wool, cement, glass, ceramics, and products with < 1% organic material content |
Magnesium oxide wallboard does not catch fire or make flames. It chars instead of burning, which helps soak up heat. This slows down fire and smoke. When it gets very hot, it lets out water vapor. This cools the surface and makes fire move slower.
Tip: Using A1-rated materials like magnesium oxide wallboard gives you more time to get out during a fire and helps keep buildings safe.
Non-combustible material
Magnesium oxide wallboard gives extra protection because it is non-combustible. This means it does not burn, even in very high heat. Tests show it can handle up to 1200°C (about 2,192°F) without losing its shape or strength. Its melting point is even higher, around 2800°C.
Magnesium oxide wallboard soaks up and keeps heat during a fire. Tests show it loses about 40-50% of its mass at high heat, which means it absorbs heat well.
The wallboard does not make harmful gases or thick smoke. This keeps the air clearer and lowers the risk of breathing in bad fumes.
It can resist fire for up to 4 hours, which is much longer than regular drywall that lasts only about 1 hour.
Magnesium Oxide Boards | Gypsum Boards | Fiber Cement Boards | |
|---|---|---|---|
Fire Resistance Rating | A1 | A1 | A1 |
Non-combustibility | Yes | No | Yes |
Smoke Production | Low | High | Moderate |
Harmful Gas Emission | None | Yes | No |
Heat Resistance | High | Moderate | High |
Magnesium oxide wallboard keeps its fireproof features in tough places, like high humidity or quick temperature changes. It helps keep buildings strong and protects people inside during emergencies.
Fire resistance properties
Heat tolerance
You need a wallboard that stays strong in a fire. Magnesium oxide wallboard gives this kind of safety. It does not burn, even in very high heat. It keeps its shape and strength up to 1200°C (about 2,192°F). In fire tests, it does not fall apart or catch fire fast. It makes a layer that protects and slows down the fire.
Scientists have checked how well this wallboard handles heat. They used different tests to learn about its strength:
Scientific Method | Findings Related to Chemical Structure and Heat Resistance |
|---|---|
X-ray Diffraction (XRD) | Shows magnesium oxide turns into magnesium hydroxide when wet, which helps stop fire. |
Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA) | Measures how much magnesium hydroxide forms, showing why the board can take high heat. |
SEM/EDS | Looks at tiny parts in the board, showing why it stays strong and fireproof. |
This wallboard can:
Handle heat up to 1200°C.
Show no flame spread in ASTM E84 fire tests.
Stay strong for four hours under direct flames.
Keep its shape even with water or moisture.
Note: Magnesium oxide wallboard does not get weak fast like plywood or wood panels. You get more time to act and stay safe in a fire.
No toxic emissions
Fire safety is not just about stopping flames. You also need clean air during a fire. Many building materials make thick smoke or bad gases when they burn. Magnesium oxide wallboard does not do this. Tests show it only lets out water vapor in a fire. You do not have to worry about toxic smoke or fumes in the room.
Magnesium oxide boards have passed hard fire safety tests. These tests show the boards make almost no smoke and no bad gases. This makes them a safe choice for homes, schools, and offices.
Good things for you:
Cleaner air in a fire.
Less chance of breathing problems or toxic air.
Safer ways to escape for everyone inside.
Tip: Picking materials that do not make toxic fumes can save lives in an emergency.
Comparison with other materials
Gypsum board
Gypsum boardGypsum board is used in many homes and schools. It helps slow down fire, but magnesium oxide wallboard is safer. Gypsum board can stop fire for about one hour. It burns faster than magnesium oxide wallboard. It also makes more smoke. Smoke can fill a room quickly. This makes it hard to breathe and see.
Material | Burn Rate | Smoke Production |
|---|---|---|
MgO Boards | Minimal smoke emission | |
Gypsum Boards | Combustible | Moderate smoke emission |
Tip: Magnesium oxide wallboard gives better fire safety. It also keeps the air cleaner than gypsum board during a fire.
Cement board
Cement board is strong and resists fire better than wood. But it does not do as well as magnesium oxide wallboard. Cement board walls last one to two hours in fire. In tests, cement board does not last as long as magnesium oxide wallboard. It can crack or get weak in high heat.
Material | Insulation Criterion Based Failure Times | Improvement with Steel Sheathing |
|---|---|---|
Gypsum Plasterboard | High | 48% |
Calcium Silicate Board | High | 33% |
Magnesium Oxide Board | Low | 47% |
Magnesium oxide wallboard keeps its shape and strength longer. It stays strong even when fire gets very hot.
Wood panels
Wood panels look nice and feel warm. But they burn fast. Fire spreads quickly on wood. Smoke fills the air fast. You have little time to escape if there is a fire. Wood panels do not stop mold or pests. This can make buildings less safe.
Feature | Magnesium Oxide Wallboard | Traditional Materials (e.g., Wood) |
|---|---|---|
Flame-Spread Index | 0 | Higher |
Fire Resistance Rating | Up to 4 hours | Lower |
Mold Resistance | Yes | No |
Pest Resistance | Yes | No |
Eco-Friendly Production | Yes | Varies |
Magnesium oxide wallboard:
Stops flames from spreading.
Lasts up to four hours in fire tests.
Resists mold, pests, and moisture.
Note: Picking materials that slow fire and keep air clean is safer. Magnesium oxide wallboard is strong, fireproof, and lasts a long time.
Benefits in construction
Safety advantages
You want your building to be safe and strong. Magnesium oxide wallboard gives many safety benefits. It stands up to fire and moisture. It also handles daily use well. Look at the table below to see these benefits:
Safety Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
Handles high heat without bending. Good for fire-rated jobs. | |
Moisture Resistance | Does not soak up water. Stops mold in wet places like kitchens and bathrooms. |
Strength and Durability | Stays strong in changing heat and wetness. Lasts longer than regular materials. |
Eco-friendliness | Has low VOCs and is not toxic. Helps make buildings greener. |
This wallboard keeps its shape and strength in a fire. It does not bend or break when wet. Choosing it helps the planet because it is safe and green.
Tip: Magnesium oxide wallboard gives you a safer, cleaner, and tougher building.
Applications
You can use magnesium oxide wallboard in many places. Builders pick it for homes and big buildings. Here are some ways to use it:
Inside walls for houses, offices, and schools
Ceilings in businesses for better fire safety
Fire doors that need up to two hours of protection
Sound panels to lower noise and boost safety
Around fireplaces because it handles high heat
You also see this wallboard in hospitals, hotels, libraries, and theaters. It works well where fire rules are strict. The board stops mold and mildew, so it is great for kitchens and bathrooms. It is easy to put in because it is lighter than cement boards. You can cut and fit the panels with simple tools.
Note: Magnesium oxide wallboard helps you build safer, cleaner, and more comfy spaces for everyone.
You can rely on magnesium oxide wallboard to keep your building safe from fire. It passes important tests like ASTM E84 and E119. The flame spread index is less than 25. It can resist fire for up to two hours.
Test Standard | Performance Details |
|---|---|
ASTM E84 | Class A, flame spread index < 25 |
ASTM E119 | 1-2 hour fire-resistance rating |
Certifications | CE, ISO, SGS, Intertek tested |
Experts say these boards block fire and moisture better than most other materials.
This means homes, schools, and hospitals are safer and stronger.
If you want more information, look at lab reports or talk to a building safety expert.
FAQ
Is magnesium oxide wallboard safe for indoor air quality?
Magnesium oxide wallboard helps keep air clean. It does not let out bad gases or VOCs. You can use it in homes, schools, and hospitals. You do not need to worry about toxic fumes.
Tip: Pick MgO wallboard for healthier rooms.
Can you cut and install magnesium oxide wallboard easily?
You can cut magnesium oxide wallboard with normal tools. You install it just like regular drywall. You do not need special gear. The panels are light, so you can move them easily.
Does magnesium oxide wallboard resist mold and mildew?
Magnesium oxide wallboard helps stop mold and mildew. It does not soak up water. You can use it in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements for extra safety.
Area | Mold Risk | MgO Wallboard Performance |
|---|---|---|
Bathroom | High | Excellent |
Basement | High | Excellent |
Kitchen | Moderate | Excellent |
How long does magnesium oxide wallboard last in a fire?
Magnesium oxide wallboard can resist fire for up to four hours. It stays strong and does not burn fast. You get more time to escape and keep your building safe.
Is magnesium oxide wallboard eco-friendly?
Magnesium oxide wallboard is good for the environment. It uses natural minerals and does not have toxic chemicals. You can recycle it when you are done.
Note: MgO wallboard helps make green buildings.