Magnesium

Storage stability and reactivity towards container material

Description of key information

According to “ANNEX IX- STANDARD INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBSTANCES MANUFACTURED OR IMPORTED IN QUANTITIES OF 100 TONNES OR MORE, study for Stability and reactivity is only required if stability of the substance is considered to be critical.
Expert Judgement
The more massive a piece of magnesium, the more difficult it is to ignite, but once ignited, magnesium burns intensely and is difficult to extinguish. The storage recommendations in NFPA 480, Standard for the Storage, Handling, and Processing of Magnesium (hereinafter referred to as NFPA 480) take these properties into consideration. Recommended maximum quantities of various sizes and forms to be stored in specific locations are covered in this standard. Storage buildings should be noncombustible, and the magnesium should be segregated from combustible material as a fire prevention measure.
With easily ignited lightweight castings, segregation from combustible materials is especially important. In the case of dry fines (fine magnesium scrap), storage in noncombustible covered containers in separate fire resistive storage buildings or rooms with explosion venting facilities is preferable. For combustible buildings or buildings containing combustible contents, NFPA 480 recommends automatic sprinkler protection to assure prompt control of a fire before the magnesium becomes involved.
Because of the possibility of hydrogen generation and of spontaneous heating of fines wet with coolants (other than neutral mineral oil), it is preferable to store wet scrap fines outdoors. Covered noncombustible containers should be vented.
Magnesium in Magnesium Alloys is stable on storage and does not react with its container under normal conditions of use and storage. 
Therefore testing for stability and reactivity towards container material does not need to be performed.

Additional information

According to “ANNEX IX- STANDARD INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBSTANCES MANUFACTURED OR IMPORTED IN QUANTITIES OF 100 TONNES OR MORE, study for Stability and reactivity is only required if stability of the substance is considered to be critical.

 

Expert Judgement

The more massive a piece of magnesium, the more difficult it is to ignite, but once ignited, magnesium burns intensely and is difficult to extinguish. The storage recommendations in NFPA 480, Standard for the Storage, Handling, and Processing of Magnesium (hereinafter referred to as NFPA 480) take these properties into consideration. Recommended maximum quantities of various sizes and forms to be stored in specific locations are covered in this standard. Storage buildings should be noncombustible, and the magnesium should be segregated from combustible material as a fire prevention measure.

With easily ignited lightweight castings, segregation from combustible materials is especially important. In the case of dry fines (fine magnesium scrap), storage in noncombustible covered containers in separate fire resistive storage buildings or rooms with explosion venting facilities is preferable. For combustible buildings or buildings containing combustible contents, NFPA 480 recommends automatic sprinkler protection to assure prompt control of a fire before the magnesium becomes involved.

Because of the possibility of hydrogen generation and of spontaneous heating of fines wet with coolants (other than neutral mineral oil), it is preferable to store wet scrap fines outdoors. Covered noncombustible containers should be vented.

 

Magnesium in Magnesium Alloysis stable on storage and does not react with its containerunder normal conditions of use and storage.

 

Therefore testing for stability and reactivity towards container material does not need to be performed.