Articles - Leather Technology Magazine Nº77
Magnesium Oxide: a forgotten chemical specialty
Marcelo Fraga de Sousa – Buckman –
mfsousa@buckman.com
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Magnesium Oxide:
a forgotten chemical specialty
Work presented at the 3rd National Technical Symposium of the
Tanning Industry, Buenos Aires, November 2010
Marcelo Fraga de Sousa – Buckman –
mfsousa@buckman.com
ABSTRACT
The use of magnesium oxide as a basifying agent in the tanning
process is a highly disseminated practice accepted worldwide.
The role of this product during basification and its importance
to finish chrome tanning are undisputable and well-known facts.
However, the tanning industry is not familiar with important
characteristics of the Magnesium Oxide (MgO) or the process
used to obtain this compound.
Throughout recent years, MgO-based basifying agents have
been treated as commodities and negligent treatment has been
given to important technical characteristics of this compound.
As a consequence, tanners have lost control of the quality of the
basifying agent, posing a risk for the process and especially for
the resulting Wet Blue.
Characteristics of Magnesium Oxide, such as the granulometric
distribution and surface area of the particles, are important
to determine the product reactivity and, consequently, highly
relevant to its application as a basifying agent.
The main purpose of this work is to supply Tanners with
information to help them optimize the tanning process control.
This work seeks to gather relevant knowledge and information on
MgO obtainment, improvement, quality control and application
to basification.
Apart from the granulometric distribution and the average
surface area of the particles, this work will discuss other aspects
and characteristics of MgO that have an impact on the quality of
processing and storage of Wet Blue and its interaction with other
important chemical auxiliaries in wet processing.
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