Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: eric2011 on 10/06/2021 16:53:42

Title: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: eric2011 on 10/06/2021 16:53:42
Hi. Does anybody know in what kind of household items I could find things made or contain magnesium metal. I need a small amount of magnesium metal in any form coz in the area  where I am there is nowhere they sell it. ....

Gracias
Title: Re: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: Bored chemist on 10/06/2021 21:43:24
I think magnesium alloys are used in some laptop cases.
It won't be cheap...
Title: Re: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: evan_au on 11/06/2021 09:45:40
Just pull the wheels off your hot car...
Title: Re: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: eric2011 on 11/06/2021 12:33:16
Do you know those magnesium tablets for stomach degasing I dont know if that is the right word. Those tablets you take to remove gas from your stomach, do they have magnesium metal in them? Is it possible to extact it?
Title: Re: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: Bored chemist on 11/06/2021 12:57:08
Quote from: eric2011 on 11/06/2021 12:33:16
do they have magnesium metal in them?
No
They have various  mixtures of magnesium carbonate, hydroxide and (sometimes) silicate.
Title: Re: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: CliffordK on 12/06/2021 05:08:27
Do you have a local sporting goods or camping store?

Look for a flint fire starter, often sold with nearly pure magnesium to whittle off bits for fire starting.
Title: Re: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: CliffordK on 13/06/2021 15:10:56
Epson salt is MgS04

Of course not pure magnesium, but I wonder if it could be purified, either with high temperature electrolysis, or in a "battery".
Title: Re: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: Bored chemist on 13/06/2021 19:40:27
Quote from: CliffordK on 13/06/2021 15:10:56
Epson salt is MgS04
Actually, it's the heptahydrate.

But it's not much use if you want the metal.
Title: Re: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: William Hardy on 09/07/2021 11:16:33
It is difficult to get magnesium in pure form at home. Mostly it will be available in alloy form in some metallic structure like car or laptops.
The magnesium in most of the supplements and antacids are present in salt form.
Some type of firecrackers contain magnesium. You can find out the composition if you have any firecracker.
Title: Re: Where can I find magnesium metal scrap at home?
Post by: chiralSPO on 09/07/2021 17:21:05
I agree: a camping store or military surplus store should have magnesium fire starters. You may also be able to go to a motorcycle shop and get some scrap magnesium alloy turnings (they may want to get rid of this hazardous waste, or they may want money for it).

It will be very difficult and potentially quite dangerous to convert magnesium compounds into metallic magnesium—I wouldn't recommend even trying.