Magnesium oxide, MgO, is an important raw material for refractories industry due to its high refractoriness (melting point of approximately 2800 ºC), corrosion resistance in basic environment and competitive cost. Nevertheless, MgO presents a great tendency to react with water producing magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2. This reaction generates a threefold volumetric expansion and could lead to material breakdown inhibiting its application in refractory castables. In order to develop solutions to minimize this effect, a further understanding of the magnesia hydration mechanism and the main variables involved in this reaction is required. Two different mechanisms were proposed: a) dissolution followed by magnesium hydroxide precipitation and b) reaction in a single step that occurs on the particles surface. Aqueous suspensions were used in association with different characterization techniques (oscillatory tests, apparent volumetric expansion and ionic conductivity), showing relationships between the mechanisms presented mainly related to the kinetics of hydration of magnesia.
magnesium oxide; hydration; refractory castables
