Magnesium fluoride

Description

White crystals that fluoresce purple in ultraviolet light. Magnesium fluoride powder is used in the manufacture of ceramics and glass. Large single crystals are used for polarizing prisms, lenses, and optical windows.

Synonyms and Related Terms

magnesium flux

Risks

• Noncombustible.
• Irritation to skin and membranes.
• Fisher Scientific: MSDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

Soluble in nitric acid. Slightly soluble in dilute acids. Insoluble in water and alcohols.

Composition	MgF2
CAS	7783-40-6
Mohs Hardness	6.0
Melting Point	1248-1263 C
Density	3.148 g.ml
Molecular Weight	mol. wt. = 62.3
Boiling Point	2239 C

Resources and Citations

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 5701