Magnesium carbonate
Description
A fluffy white powder used as an inert pigment and as an ingredient in inks, glass, ceramic glazes, and dentifrice. Magnesium carbonate has also been used as a sorbent powder for water-free (dry) cleaning of jewelry and doll hair. Aqueous solutions of magnesium carbonate are used for neutralization and alkalization of paper.
See also bicarbonate magnesium bicarbonate).
Synonyms and Related Terms
magnesite; magnesia white; Pigment White 18; Magnesiumcarbonat (Deut.)
Other Properties
Soluble in acids. Slightly soluble in water. Insoluble in ethanol.
Translucent, colorless, angular crystals; high birefringence under crossed polars; extinction is complete and straight.
| Composition | MgCO3 |
|---|---|
| CAS | 546-93-0 |
| Melting Point | 350 (dec) |
| Density | 3.0 |
| Molecular Weight | mol. wt. = 84.3 |
| Refractive Index | 1.508; 1.510; 1.700 |
Hazards and Safety
Nontoxic. Ingestion has a laxative effect. Noncombustible.
LINK: International Chemical Safety Card
Comparisons
Characteristics of Common White Pigments
Additional Images
Infrared spectrum of magnesite
Authority
- Nicholas Eastaugh, Valentine Walsh, Tracey Chaplin, Ruth Siddall, Nicholas Eastaugh, Valentine Walsh, Tracey Chaplin, Ruth Siddall, Pigment Compendium, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2004
- Ralph Mayer, Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
- Richard S. Lewis, Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Susan E. Schur, Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985
- Tom Rowland, Noel Riley, Tom Rowland, Noel Riley, A-Z Guide to Cleaning, Conserving and Repairing Antiques, Constable and Co., Ltd., London, 1981
- Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982
- Book and Paper Group, Book and Paper Group, Paper Conservation Catalog, AIC, 1984, 1989
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 5696