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Industrial Uses

Magnesium Oxide is used in a number of industrial applications including:

Abrasives	As a binder in grinding wheels
Animal feed supplement	Source of magnesium ions for chickens, cattle and other animals
Boiler (oil-fired) additives	Raises melting point of ash generated to produce a friable material that is easily removed; reduced corrosion of steel pipes holding steam as well as sulfur emissions into the environment
Boiler feedwater treatment	Reduces iron, silica and solids
Chemicals	Starting point for the production of other magnesium salts such as sulfate and nitrate
Coatings	Pigment extender in paint and varnish
Construction	Basic ingredient of oxychloride cements used for flooring, wallboard, fiber board, and tile
Electrical	Semi-conductors; heating elements insulating filler between wire and outer sheath
Fertilizers	Source of essential magnesium for plant nutrition
Foundries	Catalyst and water acceptor in shell molding
Glass manufacture	Ingredient for specialty, scientific and decorative glassware and fiberglass
Insulation	Light, flexible mats for insulating pipes
Lubricating oils	Additive to neutralize acids
Pharmaceuticals	Special grades of magnesium hydroxide, oxide and carbonate are used in antacids, cosmetics, toothpaste, and ointments
Plastics manufacture	Filler, acid acceptor, thickener catalyst and pigment extender
Refractory and ceramics	Basic ingredient in product formulations for the steel industry
Rubber compounding	Filler, acid acceptor, anti-scorch ingredient, curing aid, pigment
Steel industry	Annealing process; coating for grain-oriented silicon steel used in electrical transformers
Sugar refining	Reduces scale build-up when used in juice clarification and precipitation
Sulfite wood pulping	Source of base for cooking liquors
Uranium, gallium & boron	Precipitation initiator by acid neutralization processing
Wastewater treatment	Acid stream neutralizer; precipitates heavy metals

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