20 Jul What are the Raw Materials for the MgO board?
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Have you ever wondered what the MgO board is made from? Most people know that the abbreviation MgO stands for magnesium oxide. However, that is not the only raw material used to make these boards! Today, I’ll give you all the information needed on raw materials for the MgO board, plus more!
Raw Materials behind MgO Boards
The raw materials for MgO boards include magnesium oxide, fillers, and bonding agents. Common fillers are perlite, vermiculite, wood fibers, and fiberglass mesh. Bonding agents can be magnesium sulfate or magnesium chloride.
Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium oxide is the basic or primary component of MgO boards, but you already know that! It is a naturally occurring compound from magnesium-rich minerals such as magnesite (MgCO3). Magnesium oxide can also be obtained through the extraction of magnesium hydroxide. But, it also involves calcining the hydroxide to form MgO.
Calcining refers to the thermal treatment of solid compounds.
Perlite
MgO board manufacturers use various fillers to enhance the properties of MgO boards. One of these is perlite, a naturally occurring volcanic glass.
Perlite contains a high water count. When heated to 850-900°C, it expands up to 20 times its original size. This process results in lightweight, porous material with excellent thermal properties. Compared to others, perlite is the most commonly used filler in MgO boards.
Vermiculite
Vermiculite is another mineral that expands when exposed to heat. This hydrous phyllosilicate mineral turns into a lightweight porous mineral after thermal treatment. It also expands by approximately 6 to 20 times its size. Again, like perlite, this contributes to vermiculite’s thermal properties and others.
Wood Fibers
Wood or cellulose fibers come from natural wood or plant sources. Then, manufacturers process these fibers and incorporate them into composite materials. Cellulose fibers actually contribute to structural integrity and flexibility. Isn’t that surprising? These fibers allow the boards to be cut and shaped more easily.
Fiberglass Mesh
As the name implies, fiberglass mesh is a network of woven fiberglass strands. Manufacturers use it in construction materials to provide reinforcement. The same goes for MgO boards! Fiberglass mesh in MgO boards increases the tensile strength of the boards and enhances durability. These are some of the many benefits that fiberglass mesh brings to the table!
Why Manufacturers Use These Materials?
Although I already hinted at some of these components’ benefits, I will discuss them in more detail in this section.
Magnesium Oxide is Strong and Durable
As a base, magnesium dioxide is a very strong and stable compound. This feature translates to robust MgO boards! It also means that MgO boards can take a lot of impact without major “injuries.” They are known for being strong and resistant to wear, tear, dents, and scratches. Also, MgO offers good dimensional stability. Some materials expand when they come into contact with temperature changes. But not MgO! Due to their dimensional stability, these boards can keep their shape and size over time. Furthermore, it minimizes warping or cracking.
Magnesium Oxide is Fire-Resistant
The best thing about magnesium oxide is its non-combustible property. This means you can expose the board to high temperatures without catching fire. Obviously, this material has its limits. Even the indestructible ring of Sauron burned in the fires of Mount Doom. Jokes aside, its fire-resistant feature makes it one of the best construction materials. That is why you should use it for fire-rated constructions.
Magnesium Oxide is Moisture-Resistant
Given its mineral nature, magnesium oxide does not absorb water. It is not entirely waterproof, but it does the job! Due to their moisture resistance, MgO boards are a great choice for bathrooms and kitchens. Also, they are a great leverage in areas with moderate humidity. Why? They reduce the risk of water damage and warping. Also, magnesium oxide is resistant to mold and mildew!
Fillers Enhance MgO’s Properties
While magnesium oxide offers various advantages, fillers improve their performance. They also enhance the boards’ existing and specific properties, such as fire resistance. Besides thermal insulation, perlite and vermiculite improve fire resistance. This means that MgO boards can withstand high temperatures without degrading. This particularly helps MgO boards keep their structural integrity during fires.
Also, vermiculite can absorb and release moisture. It helps with the regulation of humidity levels within MgO Boards. Perlite is a super lightweight material. So it reduces the overall weight of MgO boards, making them easier to install! Wood fibers contribute to sustainability!
Fiberglass Provides Impact Resistance
Including fiberglass mesh increases the board’s tensile strength and impact resistance. Fiberglass mesh makes the boards more durable and less prone to cracking or breaking under stress. It helps the boards withstand tension forces and demanding applications, such as high-traffic areas of the house.
Fiberglass mesh provides a stable backing, supports the boards during cutting and drilling. It makes the boards easy to handle and install.
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Magnesium Oxide (MgO) vs. Magnesium Chloride (MOC) Boards
There are two popular formulations of MgO boards with different bonding agents. Magnesium oxide boards usually use magnesium sulfate, while Magnesium Chloride boards use chloride. Both are very popular in construction, but they have distinct characteristics.
Magnesium Oxide Boards (MgO)
The main ingredient of MgO boards is magnesium dioxide. They do not contain chloride; they have sulfate to bind the raw materials. Sulfate does not contain chloride ions. It is used in newer versions of MgO boards and offers many advantages. First, these boards offer more resistance to moisture absorption. Second, they have better corrosion resistance, especially with metal components.
Their strength and durability are exceptional. MgO boards are naturally fire-resistant! Both of these have similar applications, but due to their properties, MgO boards can be a better choice in certain projects.
Magnesium Chloride Boards (MOC)
As implied in the name, the main ingredient of MOC is magnesium chloride or MgCl2. Unlike Mgo boards, these contain chloride ions. They can be susceptible to moisture absorption in high-humidity environments.
They are very strong but are not very fire-resistant. They offer some fire resistance, but not as nearly as MgO’s. Yet, manufacturers often add fire retardants to enhance that feature. So, the only advantage of MOC boards over MgO boards is faster setting time. Depending on how you see it, MgO boards are also more expensive.
Conclusion
So, the raw materials for MgO boards include magnesium oxide and fillers. They additionally contain bonding agents, such as magnesium sulfate or magnesium chloride. I have presented the reasons why manufacturers use these materials. Additionally, I have included a comparison between MgO and MOC boards. They are similar and have similar applications. But, they do have crucial differences.