Substance profile
Magnesium powder (pyrophoric)
Magnesium powder (pyrophoric) is a silvery-white metal with a none odor.
01 · Identification
What Magnesium powder (pyrophoric) is
Magnesium powder (pyrophoric) is a silvery-white metal with a none odor. It boils at 1100 °C, melts at 651 °C, is practically insoluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as reactive agents - 1st degree.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H250 | Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air. |
| H260 | In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P222, P231, P280, P370, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Magnesium powder (pyrophoric) properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 1100 °C (2012 °F) | HSDB | |
| 1100 °C (2012 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 651 °C (1203.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 650 °C (1202 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 649 °C (1200.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 1.7 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.738 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.74 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | INSOL IN COLD WATER, CHROMIUM TRIOXIDES; SOLUBLE IN MINERAL ACIDS | HSDB | |
| Insoluble but reactive in water, liberating hydrogen gas | HSDB | ||
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.0075 mmHg | at 428 °C | HSDB |
| 1 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Flash point | 500 °C (932 °F) | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 472.78 °C (883 °F) | HSDB | |
| 473 °C (883.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | ... Powders form explosive mixtures with air that may be ignited by a spark. | HSDB | |
| ...MOLTEN METAL BURNS EXPLOSIVELY IN PRESENCE OF EXCESSIVE MOISTURE, AS IN MOULDING SAND. FIRE & EXPLOSION ARE OUTSTANDING HAZARDS IN MFR OF MAGNESIUM ALLOYS. | HSDB | ||
| Explosive limits , vol% in air: | ICSC | ||
| Vapor density | 0.84 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Highly resistant | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Magnesium powder (pyrophoric)
Storage conditions
Detached storage must be used for finely divided materials. Must be stored in a dry location. Isolate from halogens, acids, and oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible with ethylene oxide, metal oxosalts, oxidants, and potassium carbonate.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Magnesium powder… in the storage compatibility matrix →