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MgO-dense 99.9-HP

Grade

99.9-HP = high-purity hot-pressed / HIPed MgO, near theoretical density

Choose for IR windows, high-purity single-crystal growth crucibles and maximum strength/thermal conductivity.

High cost $$$$

Values for the 99.9-HP condition

Other MgO-dense tempers and conditions

MgO-dense is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at MgO-dense.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
99Default
99 % MgO, pressureless sintered, dense
Standard dense magnesia for crucibles, thermocouple sheaths and molten-metal contact parts.—95—550 HV45 W/m·K
99.9-HPThis page
High-purity hot-pressed / HIPed MgO, near theoretical density
Choose for IR windows, high-purity single-crystal growth crucibles and maximum strength/thermal conductivity.—130—650 HV55 W/m·K
96–98 % MgO technical dense grade
Lower-cost dense magnesia for furnace linings, casting nozzles and setter plates where a silicate grain-boundary phase is tolerable.———480 HV32 W/m·K

What is MgO-dense 99.9-HP?

MgO-dense 99.9-HP is MgO-dense in the 99.9-HP grade — choose for IR windows, high-purity single-crystal growth crucibles and maximum strength/thermal conductivity. MgO-dense 99.9-HP has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 53% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 315 GPa (45.7 Msi). MgO-dense 99.9-HP has a density of 3.58 g/cm³ (0.129 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,800°C (5,072 °F). 99 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 99.9-HP is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 2,000°C (3,632 °F), better than 94% of ceramic grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 84% of ceramic grades
  • Easy to machine — 15/100, better than 81% of ceramic grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 83% of ceramic grades

MgO-dense 99.9-HP properties

Typical room-temperature values for MgO-dense 99.9-HP; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are MgO-dense reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.

Physical4

MgO-dense 99.9-HP has a density of 3.58 g/cm³ (0.129 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,800°C (5,072 °F).

Density3.58 g/cm³0.13 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)2,800°C5,072 °F
Refractive Index1.736
Porosity0.1%

Mechanical11

MgO-dense 99.9-HP has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 53% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 315 GPa (45.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus315 GPa45.7 Msi
Shear Modulus128 GPa18.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus158 GPa22.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.18
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)130 MPa18.9 ksi
Compressive Strength1,300 MPa189 ksi
Flexural Strength220 MPa31.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)1.8 MPa·√m1.6 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers650 HV
Hardness, Knoop600 HK
Hardness, Mohs5.5

Thermal5

MgO-dense 99.9-HP is rated for continuous service to 2,000°C (3,632 °F). It conducts heat at 55 W/m·K (31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity935 J/kg·K0.22 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)2,000°C3,632 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical5

MgO-dense 99.9-HP is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 12 kV/mm (304.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength12 kV/mm305 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)9.7
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)4×10⁻⁴
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 83% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceFair50/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryOutstanding against basic slags, alkali vapours, fluorides and molten Fe/Ni/U/Th/rare-earth metals; inert to carbon and most nitrides. Hydrates slowly in liquid water or humid air (Mg(OH)₂ formation causes spalling) and dissolves in dilute mineral and organic acids; attacked by SiO₂-rich acidic slags above ~1500 °C.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of MgO-dense 99.9-HP takes about 40 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 88% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water25 L/kg3 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content5%

Manufacturability3

MgO-dense 99.9-HP's machinability is poor (15/100, better than 81% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityPoor15/100
PolishabilityExcellent85/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature1,550°C2,822 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with MgO-dense 99.9-HP

Is MgO-dense easy to machine?

Green or bisque machining is preferred; fired parts require diamond grinding with dry or oil-based coolant — never water, which hydrates the surface.

Can MgO-dense be welded?

Not weldable; join by active-metal brazing (Ti/Zr-containing filler), glass sealing or mechanical clamping with compliant gaskets.

Can MgO-dense be formed, bent or molded?

Uniaxial/isostatic pressing or slip casting of magnesia powder, sintered 1600–1800 °C; hot pressing or HIP with LiF aid for transparent, near-theoretical-density bodies.

What surface finishes work on MgO-dense?

Diamond lapping and polishing give optical-quality faces; store and ship in sealed dry packaging (desiccant) and pre-fire before use to remove adsorbed moisture.

MgO-dense chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CaOgrain-boundary silicate former0.05 – 10.4
SiO20.02 – 0.80.3
Al2O30 – 0.30.1
Fe2O3colours body brown at high levels0 – 0.30.1
LiF or other sintering aidonly in hot-pressed/transparent grades0 – 0.50.1
MgOpericlase, main phase≥ 98 (balance)—

MgO-dense 99.9-HP — frequently asked

What is MgO-dense 99.9-HP used for?

MgO-dense 99.9-HP is typically used for thermocouple sheaths, molten metal crucibles, refractory setters and high-temperature electrical insulators. In short: highest-conductivity oxide ceramic; 1900 °C service capability; moisture-sensitive, keep dry.

What is the tensile strength of MgO-dense 99.9-HP?

MgO-dense 99.9-HP has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — stronger than 53% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is MgO-dense 99.9-HP easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, better than 81% of ceramic grades). Green or bisque machining is preferred; fired parts require diamond grinding with dry or oil-based coolant — never water, which hydrates the surface.

Can MgO-dense 99.9-HP be welded?

Not weldable; join by active-metal brazing (Ti/Zr-containing filler), glass sealing or mechanical clamping with compliant gaskets.

What surface finishes work on MgO-dense 99.9-HP?

Diamond lapping and polishing give optical-quality faces; store and ship in sealed dry packaging (desiccant) and pre-fire before use to remove adsorbed moisture.

Can MgO-dense 99.9-HP be formed, bent or molded?

Uniaxial/isostatic pressing or slip casting of magnesia powder, sintered 1600–1800 °C; hot pressing or HIP with LiF aid for transparent, near-theoretical-density bodies.

What is the maximum service temperature of MgO-dense 99.9-HP?

MgO-dense 99.9-HP is rated for continuous use to about 2,000°C (3,632 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ASM Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
  2. Introduction to Ceramics (Kingery, Bowen, Uhlmann) — oxide property tables — Wiley (1976)
  3. Magnesia (MgO) crucible and tube technical data — Ortech Advanced Ceramics (2023)
  4. NIST-JANAF Thermochemical Tables (MgO) — NIST (1998)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.