Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4)-Powder

Characteristic




Magnesium sulfate is an inorganic salt with the formula MgSO4(H2O)x where 0≤x≤7. It is often encountered as the heptahydrate sulphate mineral epsomite (MgSO4·7H2O), commonly called Epsom salt.




Chemical formula:MgSO4

Molar mass:120.366 g/mol (anhydrous)  138.38 g/mol (monohydrate)  174.41 g/mol (trihydrate)  210.44 g/mol (pentahydrate)  228.46 g/mol (hexahydrate)  246.47 g/mol (heptahydrate)

Appearance:white crystalline solid

Odor:odorless

Density:2.66 g/cm3 (anhydrous)  2.445 g/cm3 (monohydrate)  1.68 g/cm3 (heptahydrate)  1.512 g/cm3 (11-hydrate)

Melting point：anhydrous decomposes at 1,124°C  monohydrate:decomposes at 200°C  heptahydrate decomposes at 150°C  undecahydrate decomposes at 2°C

Solubility in water: anhydrous  26.9 g/100 mL (0 °C)  35.1 g/100 mL (20 °C)  50.2 g/100 mL (100 °C)

heptahydrate  113 g/100 mL (20 °C)

Solubility：1.16 g/100 mL (18°C, ether)  slightly soluble in alcohol, glycerol  insoluble in acetone

Magnetic susceptibility (χ)：−50·10−6 cm3/mol

Refractive index (nD)：1.523 (monohydrate)  1.433 (heptahydrate)

Crystal structure：monoclinic (hydrate)




Application




Epsom salt has been traditionally used as a component of bath salts. Epsom salt can also be used as a beauty product. Athletes use it to soothe sore muscles, while gardeners use it to improve crops. It has a variety of other uses: for example, Epsom salt is also effective in the removal of splinters.