Characteristic
Magnesium fluoride is an inorganic compound with the formula MgF2. The compound is a white crystalline salt and is transparent over a wide range of wavelengths, with commercial uses in optics that are also used in space telescopes. It occurs naturally as the rare mineral sellaite.
Chemical formula:MgF2
Molar mass:62.3018 g/mol
Appearance:White tetragonal crystals
Density:3.148 g/cm3
Melting point:1,263 °C (2,305 °F; 1,536 K)
Boiling point:2,260 °C (4,100 °F; 2,530 K)
Solubility in water:0.013 g/100 mL
Solubility:Insoluble in ethanol
Magnetic susceptibility (χ):−22.7⋅10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD):1.37397
Crystal structure:Rutile (tetragonal), tP6
Application
1. Used as flux for smelting metal magnesium and additive for electrolytic aluminum;
2. Used as spectral reagent;
3. Manufacturing fluxes for ceramics, glass and smelting magnesium and aluminum, coating lenses and filters in optical instruments.