MgO Quality
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Quality is a function of better product performance. Greater reactivity means greater solubility and availability for both plants and animals. That's what MgO quality should be all about — "product performance."
Just simply having more magnesium present is not the most important criteria of a quality MgO. The "more is better" concept does not apply here. What matters most is the chemical reactivity of the type of MgO present. Animals ingest magnesium based on its bio-availability, just as growing plants uptake magnesium based on its solubility. Solubility, availability and reactivity are all very closely related and greatly influenced by the temperature and the duration of time applying that temperature to magnesite ore during the calcination process.
Greater reactivity and availability of a particular brand of magnesium oxide results from longer, more uniform burns at lower temperatures. The reactivity of "low burn MgO" is far better than high temperature burn MgO. Magnesite ore calcinated below 900 degrees C generally has moderately high chemical reactivity, is readily soluble in dilute acid, hydrates rapidly in water, and slowly reacts with atmospheric moisture and carbon dioxide over time to form magnesium carbonate.
MAGOX® is calcinated in modern, high-efficiency furnaces using easily controlled and predictable natural gas heating elements, and is far more reactive, soluble and available than other MgO products produced with inefficient, hot-fired furnaces burning coal. MAGOX® is the better quality MgO because of better reactivity and better performance.
Only Premier Chemicals, LLC makes MAGOX®.
Quality magnesium oxide mined and calcinated at Gabbs, Nevada, USA