Influence of hydration time on the hydration of MgO in water and in a magnesium acetate solution

The time required for maximum hydration of MgO obtained from the calcination of magnesite was determined. The MgO samples were hydrated for different time intervals in both water and magnesium acetate. A thermogravimetric analysis (TG) method was used to determine the degree of hydration to Mg(OH) 2 . Increasing the hydration time, the degree of hydration of MgO and surface area of the formed Mg(OH) 2 increased. A leveling effect was observed on the percentage Mg(OH) 2 obtained from hydration in magnesium acetate, and an optimum amount of 85% was obtained after 500 min. For the hydration in water, the leveling effect was only observed after 800 min giving a maximum of 65% Mg(OH) 2 .