sedit I can't really speak from experience but wouldn't molten MgSO4 or aqueous reduced electrochemically work decently?

When metal azides decompose they leave highly pure metal residue, such is the case in sodium azide.

I'm interested in this as well.

OK heres the deal. I contacted a supplyer and Mg is only under restrictions from the ATFE if under a mesh size of 100 so Mg turnings can be purchased without restrictions.


I would still like everyones help in finding a pure OTC source for Mg and so far the best thing I have been able to find is road flares which contain a miture of Strontium nitrate, Strontium peroxide and Magnesium. It discribes the contents as a grey reactive powder and to not immerse in water due to Mg reactivity. If the Strontium could be removed without reacting the Mg(not very likly other then physical seperation) a fine Mg powder for doing small scale Grignards may be had.

I think it is decently pure Mg, I have one and it seems pretty reactive towards just about everything - so I guess that means no Al?

I think the decompose of MgCl2 is only mentioned because it may be a lewis acid, and it would form oxychlorides or something to that effect. I don't think it will decompose easily if it is anhydrous.

A mixture of calcium and magnesium chloride might have a low melting point and that would make electrolysis of it a ton easier.

I wouldn't want to melt MgSO4. I would turn it into the chloride either by reacting with NaCl to precipitate the sodium sulfate, which I believe is much less soluble then NaCl, MgSO4, or MgCl2.

Another method would be using Calcium chloride which is easily had for melting snow, or you could make MgCO3 and react that with an acid with a low melting point for electrolysis.
 

electrolysis will not work in water for magnesium since it is way to reactive, the decomposition of oxalate, a way of producing very fine metal powders, would not work either.

i have had a hard time acquiring a decent source of Mg, and I will not settle for the survival things since they are difficult to grind into anything decent.

Often metal shops that lath metals will have aluminium, steal, and if you are lucky magnesium turnings. I would go around asking if they can spare any of their turnings. I haven't been lucky enough to find one that lathes magnesium based metals, but i believe they are around.

I have seen magnesium turnings at gun shows for sale as well, but they were insanely expensive.

Magnesium firestarters are pretty good, although their a pain to grind up. IIRC some engine blocks (VW in particular) are made from cast magnesium, and a cracked or broken one could probably be obtained pretty cheaply at a junk yard.

Can't sacrificial anodes fro boats, and possibly some sort of water thing (for metal pipes, etc) be found that are made of magnesium? I thought they used that for some sort of plumbing related stuff in the house, but I wouldn't know.

This is true, I've bought two pound bags of turnings there before. But ebay is best to be avoided.

Magnesium is available as simple pencil sharpeners, like this one. Just watch out not to confuse them with ones made of aluminia.

They are not very costly. Just remove the screw and blade and you have some grams magnesium.

I guess eBay is still the best option here.

- Murphy

If it was pure magnesium, I think it would have flared up faster.

If it was pure magnesium, I think it would have flared up faster.

I was thinking the same but I wounder if the bulk of it has some control over the burn rate. When it gets done you can see how fast it goes off showering sparks everywhere. A few test of the left over oxides could tell all, if any impuritys present.

I'm sure everyone is well aware of the hazards and all, but I can attest to the magnesium fire starter blocks (like 6 bucks and change at the mart) being quite flammable/explosive. Once, swim had the great idea to use a rotary tool with sanding attachment to make powdered Mg from the chunk, so after taking off the igniter on the side, sanding was performed...suppose swim was distracted by the really shiny metal, but suddenly the powder/air mixture got right and *pfoosh*... really hot, really bright, really scary... still don't know if it was just the humid air/powder mixture or the electric motor's sparks that initiated the ignition, but it was quite memorable. Fortunately not much had been collected at the time, so letting it burn out was best option at the time. Remember seeing some contraption with a grinding wheel rotating into a water bath with some added compound which I cannot recall...but I think a ball mill with small amounts should be easier...

Also, really like this forum, been a member at wd and scimad for a bit and this seems well-managed and very interesting, so thanks!

EDIT: Here's that site I referenced-- http://gamekeeper.deds.nl/metal_grinding_machine.html