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Used in a wide range of industries
Whether or not magnesium oxide is suitable for a particular application depends on, for example, the particle size distribution, activity, density, crystal size and chemical purity. Van Mannekus & Co BV processes and trades in magnesia and other minerals for any possible industrial application. Some examples are:
- Animal feedstuff & milk substitute for calves
As a vital element, magnesium oxide is added to feedstuff in a particular grain size to give the required reactivity. Magnesium oxide is used especially for cattle grazing on grasslands that have a low magnesium content. Magnesium oxide is an important additive to milk substitutes for calves.
- Ceramics
In the ceramic industry, magnesium oxide is used for various applications, such as thermal insulation in power switches, frit production and for the stabilisation and grain growth control in the sintering process.
- Cigarettes
Magnesium oxide is used to reduce smoke development from the burning of cigarette wrappers.
- Drilling mud
In water based mud for drilling purposes, magnesium oxide is used as a viscosity control agent, as a stabiliser and as an additive to temporarily seal-off the oil producing zones. Upon completion of the drilling process, an acid wash can be done to unblock these porous zones so that the oil can be produced.
- Environment
Magnesium oxide is well known for its capacity to bind heavy metals and neutralise acid streams in wastewater treatment processes.
- Feed lick blocks
Magnesium oxide is used as a binding agent and as a magnesium source in animal feed lick blocks
- Fertiliser
Magnesium oxide raises the pH value of the treated soil and also as a source of magnesium to stimulate the photosynthesis process.
- Friction lining
Magnesium oxide remains stable at high temperatures and is therefore used as a setting agent in the production of friction brake pads.
- Glass
Magnesium oxide replaces dolomite in the production of glass to provide stability.
- Leather tanning
It is very important for the chromine bonding in the leather tanning industry that the pH value is stable. Its basic and slow dissolving properties make magnesium oxide a very good pH-control agent.
- Paper & pulp
Magnesium oxide with its low iron content, high reactivity and low quantity of silica and lime are important features in pulp production. Its use is environmentally friendly and energy economic.
- Refractory applications
Large quantities of dead burned magnesite are used for the production of fire-resistant kiln linings in the iron and steel industry. Refractory applications demand very careful grading because of purity requirements.
- Sorel cement
Magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride in combination produce magnesium (or Sorel) cement. It forms a very fine needle shaped felt between the granules of the filler material or abrasives. The product has high flexion and compressive strengths. Sorel cement is used in the production of grinding wheels and industrial floors.
- Sugar refinery
Magnesium oxide is used in the sugar refining process to neutralise sugar beet juice.
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