Investigation of Magnesium Hydroxide as a Halogen-Free Fire-Retardant Filler for Advanced Polymer-Based Solutions: A Review.

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Title: Investigation of Magnesium Hydroxide as a Halogen-Free Fire-Retardant Filler for Advanced Polymer-Based Solutions: A Review.
Authors: Ferrante, Federico1 (AUTHOR), Battaglia, Giuseppe1 (AUTHOR), Micale, Giorgio1 (AUTHOR), Dintcheva, Nadka Tz.1 (AUTHOR) nadka.dintcheva@unipa.it
Source: Polymers (20734360). Jun2026, Vol. 18 Issue 11, p1386. 52p.
Subjects: Magnesium hydroxide, Fireproofing agents, Biodegradable plastics, Hard materials, Surface preparation, Polymeric composites, Polyolefins
Abstract: Magnesium hydroxide is attracting growing interest as a versatile, halogen-free flame retardant, and this review surveys its production routes, structure–property relationships and use in polymer systems from commodity polyolefins to advanced bio-based materials. Industrial Mg(OH)2 is still predominantly obtained from mining or hydration of MgO, but increasing attention is being devoted to recovery from seawater and saltwork brines, where precipitation from Mg2+-rich streams followed by controlled rehydration or direct precipitation yields fine, high-purity powders suitable for flame retardant use and simultaneously valorizes saline wastes. In parallel, hydrothermal synthesis has been extensively explored to tailor particle size and morphology by adjusting the precursor, solvent, temperature and time, enabling high-surface-area Mg(OH)2 or MgO with narrow size distributions that are attractive for high-performance composites also evaluated via ball milling, crushing and refining. More recently, process intensification strategies such as microwaves and ultrasounds have been proposed to shorten reaction times, lower temperatures and better control nucleation and growth, opening paths toward energy efficient production of structured Mg(OH)2 from both conventional and brine-derived precursors. The second part of the review analyzes how the intrinsic endothermic decomposition and basic character of Mg(OH)2 can be utilized across a broad range of polymer matrices and how surface functionalization strategies extend its applicability. In addition to "as received" powders, stearic acid and other fatty acids, metal soaps and various organic coupling agents are widely used to render the surface more hydrophobic, enhance dispersion and interfacial adhesion, and in some cases introduce additional char-forming or barrier functionality. In terms of the application, the review methodically synthesizes and contrasts fire and mechanical data for Mg(OH)2-containing polyolefins (HDPE, LLDPE, PP and EVA) utilized in cables and building products, expandable polymers and foams, biopolymers (PLA and PBS), and elastomers. The review places particular emphasis on the balance between loading level, processability, flame performance and mechanical integrity. This review aims to provide a comprehensive framework for designing next-generation Mg(OH)2-based flame-retardant systems for both conventional and emerging polymer technologies. To this end, it integrates advances in sustainable feedstocks, controlled synthesis and surface engineering with the rapidly expanding application space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Investigation of Magnesium Hydroxide as a Halogen-Free Fire-Retardant Filler for Advanced Polymer-Based Solutions: A Review.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ferrante%2C+Federico%22">Ferrante, Federico</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Battaglia%2C+Giuseppe%22">Battaglia, Giuseppe</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Micale%2C+Giorgio%22">Micale, Giorgio</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dintcheva%2C+Nadka+Tz%2E%22">Dintcheva, Nadka Tz.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> nadka.dintcheva@unipa.it</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Polymers+%2820734360%29%22">Polymers (20734360)</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 18 Issue 11, p1386. 52p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Magnesium+hydroxide%22">Magnesium hydroxide</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fireproofing+agents%22">Fireproofing agents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biodegradable+plastics%22">Biodegradable plastics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hard+materials%22">Hard materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Surface+preparation%22">Surface preparation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Polymeric+composites%22">Polymeric composites</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Polyolefins%22">Polyolefins</searchLink>
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  Data: Magnesium hydroxide is attracting growing interest as a versatile, halogen-free flame retardant, and this review surveys its production routes, structure–property relationships and use in polymer systems from commodity polyolefins to advanced bio-based materials. Industrial Mg(OH)2 is still predominantly obtained from mining or hydration of MgO, but increasing attention is being devoted to recovery from seawater and saltwork brines, where precipitation from Mg2+-rich streams followed by controlled rehydration or direct precipitation yields fine, high-purity powders suitable for flame retardant use and simultaneously valorizes saline wastes. In parallel, hydrothermal synthesis has been extensively explored to tailor particle size and morphology by adjusting the precursor, solvent, temperature and time, enabling high-surface-area Mg(OH)2 or MgO with narrow size distributions that are attractive for high-performance composites also evaluated via ball milling, crushing and refining. More recently, process intensification strategies such as microwaves and ultrasounds have been proposed to shorten reaction times, lower temperatures and better control nucleation and growth, opening paths toward energy efficient production of structured Mg(OH)2 from both conventional and brine-derived precursors. The second part of the review analyzes how the intrinsic endothermic decomposition and basic character of Mg(OH)2 can be utilized across a broad range of polymer matrices and how surface functionalization strategies extend its applicability. In addition to "as received" powders, stearic acid and other fatty acids, metal soaps and various organic coupling agents are widely used to render the surface more hydrophobic, enhance dispersion and interfacial adhesion, and in some cases introduce additional char-forming or barrier functionality. In terms of the application, the review methodically synthesizes and contrasts fire and mechanical data for Mg(OH)2-containing polyolefins (HDPE, LLDPE, PP and EVA) utilized in cables and building products, expandable polymers and foams, biopolymers (PLA and PBS), and elastomers. The review places particular emphasis on the balance between loading level, processability, flame performance and mechanical integrity. This review aims to provide a comprehensive framework for designing next-generation Mg(OH)2-based flame-retardant systems for both conventional and emerging polymer technologies. To this end, it integrates advances in sustainable feedstocks, controlled synthesis and surface engineering with the rapidly expanding application space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.3390/polym18111386
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 52
        StartPage: 1386
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Magnesium hydroxide
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fireproofing agents
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Biodegradable plastics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hard materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Surface preparation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Polymeric composites
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Polyolefins
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Investigation of Magnesium Hydroxide as a Halogen-Free Fire-Retardant Filler for Advanced Polymer-Based Solutions: A Review.
        Type: main
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      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ferrante, Federico
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            NameFull: Battaglia, Giuseppe
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            NameFull: Micale, Giorgio
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            NameFull: Dintcheva, Nadka Tz.
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            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 18
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