What is magnesium chloride and where is it used?

On the list of the most useful chemical compounds on a daily basis , magnesium chloride occupies one of the leading places. It is an effective, well-known therapeutic agent and an effective replacement for road salt (sodium chloride). What is worth knowing about it? What are the properties and uses of magnesium chloride? Check.

Magnesium chloride - what is it?

Magnesium chloride is a salt formed by the reaction of an acidic substance (chloride) with a base (magnesium). The formula of this inorganic compound is: MgCl ₂ . In pharmaceutical nomenclature, the active substance, which is magnesium chloride, is known as Magnesii chloridum.

Due to the purpose, magnesium chloride can be divided into 2 categories:

• high-quality medicinal raw material (it is magnesium chloride hexahydrate of pharmaceutical quality, edible, may come into contact with the skin),
• technical magnesium chloride (not suitable for consumption, contains anti-caking and anti-corrosion agents, used mainly in industry and road construction).

Properties and preparation of magnesium chloride

How to distinguish magnesium chloride from other types of salts? It is in the form of transparent or white crystals or flakes. It creates strongly hygroscopic particles, very intensively absorbing water from the environment. MgCl ₂ crystals have no odor, are also completely non-flammable, and dissolve well in water. What else characterizes this relationship?

• density of MgCl ₂ crystals is 2.325 g/cm3,
• the molar mass of magnesium chloride reaches 95.21 g/mol,
• MgCl ₂ melts at 715°C and begins to boil at 1412°C.

And how can you get magnesium chloride? In industrial conditions, this salt is most often produced from carnallite, deposits of which occur, among others, in in Europe, North America and Asia. An alternative source of obtaining MgCl ₂ is also sea water, treated with alkaline compounds and acids.

Magnesium chloride - where to buy?

You can now easily buy high-quality magnesium chloride both in stationary stores and online wholesalers. This type of salt is distributed by companies serving mainly the chemical, pharmaceutical and road industries. In the offers you will find different amounts of magnesium salt - it is available in packages of 1 kg, 5 kg, 25 kg and larger.

How to recognize good quality magnesium chloride? First of all, it has a quality certificate. On the packaging you will find information that it is a non-toxic and environmentally friendly substance. If you want to be sure that the product will be of the highest quality, do not buy it from private persons who are unable to provide you with a proof of purchase. Buy only from verified wholesalers or pharmacies.

Applications of technical magnesium chloride

Technical magnesium chloride, sold in bags from 25 kg to even 1000 kg, is increasingly used in road construction as a substitute for sodium chloride. Its popularity is growing every year because it is more efficient than ordinary road salt and copes well with changing temperatures. In addition, MgCl ₂ does not cause salinity of the environment and does not adversely affect the functioning of roadside ecosystems.

In laboratories, magnesium chloride is useful for carrying out various types of reactions and syntheses. Magnesium salt has also been used in construction for many decades as one of the components of the magnesia mineral binder. A hard binder, produced from magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride, called Sorel cement, was mainly used for plastering and cladding.

What is 6 aqueous magnesium chloride used for?

Pharmaceutical grade magnesium chloride hexahydrate is mainly used in therapeutic treatments, in combating magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is one of the most important minerals necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Deficiencies of this ingredient cause various unpleasant ailments, such as:

• increasing stress,
• muscle and joint pain, cramps,
• sleep and concentration problems,
• decrease in immunity and energy.

From magnesium chloride hexahydrate, medicines and cosmetic preparations are made for external and internal use.

Magnesium chloride hexahydrate in cosmetics

MgCl ₂ 6H ₂ O salt (bath salt, magnesium salt) is a component of many cosmetic and medicinal products, including:

• water bath solutions for people struggling with depression, excessive stress, mineral deficiencies or rheumatism,
• rinses and solutions for soaking feet, nails and hair,
• drugs and dietary supplements,
• moisturizing and rebuilding lotions and creams.

Magnesium salt is also the basic component of magnesium oils. They can be used to make sprays, compresses and massage oils for people suffering from muscle spasms or recurrent inflammation.

Magnesium chloride in aquariums

Magnesium chloride is also used in the production of aquarium preparations and fertilizers. Thanks to the salt mixture with the appropriate magnesium content, underwater plants develop better and are more resistant to the effects of pathogens, fungi and bacteria. High-quality, pharmaceutical-grade magnesium salt has a positive effect on the amount of chlorophyll and extends the life of underwater flora.