The effect of different hydration media on magnesia

Abstract This paper discusses the rate of hydration of magnesia (CCM1 and CCM2) during the formation of magnesium hydroxide with magnesium acetate and distilled water. The influence of magnesium acetate and the reactivity of the two types of caustic calcined magnesia were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, mass spectrometry, particle size detection and pH. Also, both citric acid and acetic acid test were done to measure the reactivity of magnesium oxide powder. The results indicate that the hydration rate of both oxides in magnesium acetate system are vigorously exothermic compared to the water system. The study shows mechanistically that magnesium acetate enhanced the degree of hydration of magnesium oxide due to the presence of acetate ions and Mg2+ ions when it compared to water. Mathematical models confirm the findings.