According to Hebei Messi Biology Co., Ltd., magnesium hydroxide is an indispensable additive in the field of composite materials due to its unique functional properties.
Flame Retardant
Magnesium hydroxide is an environmentally friendly inorganic flame retardant. At high temperatures, it decomposes endothermically, which lowers the surface temperature of the material. The release of water vapor dilutes the concentration of flammable gases. The resulting magnesium oxide forms a dense, heat-insulating layer on the material’s surface, preventing the spread of flames. For these reasons, magnesium hydroxide is widely used in composite materials such as plastics (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene), rubber, and epoxy resins, to provide excellent flame-retardant properties while reducing the release of toxic gases.
In the flame retardancy process, magnesium hydroxide can reduce the generation of smoke and toxic hydrogen chloride gas. This makes it particularly suitable for halogen-containing composite materials, as it significantly improves the environmental performance of the material.
Filler and Functional Additive
When added to composite materials as a filler, magnesium hydroxide can improve the material’s rigidity, dimensional stability, and chemical corrosion resistance. For example, in polypropylene composites, adding magnesium hydroxide can increase the flexural modulus and impact strength.
The basic nature of magnesium hydroxide allows it to neutralize acidic substances in composite materials, preventing corrosion. Furthermore, it can be used to adsorb impurities or harmful components within the composite, thereby improving the material’s purity and stability.