What is All About Magnesite: How Does it Works, Formation, Characteristics and Applications

Magnesite
Magnesite

What Is Magnesite and How Does It Work?

Magnesite is a magnesium carbonate mineral with MgCO3 as its chemical formula. It gets its name from the fact that it contains magnesium. Selenite is formed when magnesium-rich rocks or carbonate rocks are altered by metamorphism or chemical weathering. Selenite is used to make magnesium oxide (MgO), which is utilized in steel as a refractory material and as a raw material in the chemical field. Selenite is also utilized as a gem and lapidary material in small volumes.

What Causes Magnesite to Form?

Magnesite can be formed in a variety of ways. The following are a few of the most prevalent. During regional, contact, or hydrothermal metamorphism, magnesium-rich rocks such as peridotite or serpentinite carbonate. Selenite generated in this way is sometimes cryptocrystalline and contains a lot of chert. During regional, contact, or hydrothermal metamorphism, magnesium-rich fluids modify limestone, marble, or other carbonate-rich rocks. This method can produce high-purity selenite. Weathering ultramafic rocks and other rocks with a high magnesium content form in the regolith. Carbonic acid in subterranean waters aids this process, which frequently results in nodular selenite. Precipitation as a secondary mineral in carbonate and ultramafic rocks' veins and fractures.

Magnesite's Characteristics

Magnesite in hand specimens can be difficult to detect since it frequently deviates from their expected properties. Because it is frequently cryptocrystalline, its cleavage might be obscured. Selenite is often silicified or mixed with chert, giving it a deceptively hard appearance. The apparent effervescence with HCl will be reduced if there is considerable chert present.

To check for an acid reaction, scrape the material across a streak plate and make some powder. After that, apply a drop of dilute (5%) hydrochloric acid to the specimen and watch for an effervescent reaction. To view tiny bubbles developing slowly from the powder, you may need a hand lens. Check the specific gravity: Magnesite typically has a specific gravity of 3.00 to 3.20. If there is a lot of quartz or chert in it, it could be as low as 2.8. If your specimen contains considerable chert or is silicified, the low specific gravity will be accompanied by a higher than typical hardness.

Magnesite's Applications

Magnesite has a chemical composition of MgCO3, which dissociates into MgO and CO2 when heated. MgO has a very high melting temperature, making it an excellent refractory material for a variety of steelmaking, metallurgical, and ceramic processes. MgO is one of the most regularly utilized materials in the production of the kiln, industrial ovens, and blast furnace bricks. MgO is also utilized in the production of fertilizers, magnesium compounds, and magnesium metal.

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