Pukyong National University

Developing domestic own production technology for ‘magnesium oxide,’ an import-dependent new material

- The PKNU supervised research team, selected as a 5.2 billion won industrial technology innovation project by the MoTIE

With the development of independent technology for the domestic production of Magnesium oxide (MgO), a new ceramic material that relies on imports for most of the domestic demand is being promoted and is attracting public attention.

The research team (Chief Prof. Wang Je-Pil, Metallurgical Engineering) supervised by Pukyong National University in Busan has been selected for the 'Pilot Project of Domestic Production for Magnesium-based Ceramic Raw Materials,' which is an industrial technology innovative project by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for 2021, and the team will be provided 5.2 billion won for technology development by 2025.

In addition to the leading institution, Pukyong National University, researchers from Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, JPS Co., Ltd., Orient Ceramic Co., and Silla University will jointly participate in the project.

The project aims to research ‘manufacturing technology for magnesium oxide using waste refractory materials containing magnesium and technology development for applied products using it.’ This is to build a domestic production base of magnesium-based ceramic raw materials to strengthen the global competitiveness of materials for supply and demand industries.

Magnesium oxide is a new ceramic material widely used in refractory materials (materials that can withstand high temperatures) in furnaces that manufacture steel, catalysts, adsorbents, glass, and medical supplies; however, more than 90% of the domestic demand depends on imports, and even that amount is far below the supply.

Under such conditions, the research team presented the idea of recycling magnesium oxide from waste refractory materials. According to the team's idea, magnesium oxide is recovered from waste refractory materials and re-created as a high-value material through processing.

Based on the research results, screening, grinding, and the iron removal processes of magnesium oxide-based refractories are reviewed. Also, powder manufacturing processes are developed through the physical and chemical treatment of the separated magnesium oxide powder. The powder processed in this way can be used as a refractory material or an auxiliary raw material for iron making.

In addition, the research team will develop a high-functional ceramic filter manufacturing technology using magnesium oxide. They plan to develop a ceramic filter for removing impurities from molten aluminum mixed with magnesium oxide and a ceramic membrane technology for water treatment.

Professor Wang Je-Pil, chief professor of the research team, said, "I expect that this project will contribute to the development of related industries such as steel and technology by recycling magnesium oxide as a resource, reducing the import costs by meeting the demands for materials that are scarce in Korea, and preventing soil pollution caused by landfilling of waste refractories." <Pukyong Today>