Magnesia ceramics

Dr. Dmitri Kopeliovich

Magnesia Ceramic is a ceramic material consisting of at least 90% of Magnesium Oxide (MgO).

Magnesium Oxide is produced from natural minerals such as magnesite (magnesium carbonate), magnesium chloride rich brine, and seawater.

Magnesia is characterized by high melting temperature 5070 ºF (2800 ºC) and high thermal and chemical stability, therefore it is widely used in refractory applications.

Magnesia ceramics are stable up to 4170 ºF (2300 ºC) in oxidizing atmosphere and up to 3090 ºF (1700 ºC) in reducing atmosphere.

Magnesia ceramic materials are produced in tight high density form (porosity less than 1%) and in porous form (porosity up to 30%).

Magnesia may be doped by small amount of Yttrium Oxide (Y₂O₃) as sintering aid.

Addition of carbon to magnesia ceramic allows to increase its chemical resistance to Steel making basic slags.

Magnesia ceramics possess the following properties:

• High thermal stability;

• High resistance to molten metals (iron, steel, aluminum), slags and semiconductor compounds;

• Good corrosion resistance even at high temperatures;

• Good insulating properties;

• Good thermal conductivity;

• Infrared transparency.

The main disadvantage of fine grain dense magnesia ceramic is low thermal shock resistance.

Magnesia ceramics are used for manufacturing high temperature crucibles, thermocouple tubes, heating elements, foam ceramic filters for molten metal, linsulators, steel making refractories, kiln furniture.

(Materials Data)

• Magnesia ceramic (Dense Magnesia)
• Magnesia ceramic (30% porosity)

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