Question

Which of the following is the formula of Sorel’s cement?
A. \[KCL.MgC{l_2}.6{H_2}O\]
B. \[MgC{l_2}.5MgO.X{H_2}O\]
C. \[CaS{O_4}.2{H_2}O\]
D. \[MgC{O_3}.CaC{O_3}.\]

Answer 1

Hint: This cement is also called magnesia cement or magnesium oxychloride. You can also say it is non-hydraulic cement. It is very similar to marble and that is why it can be used as artificial stone and other similar objectives as well.

Complete Step by step answer: Magnesium oxychloride or Sorel cement is made by mixing powdered magnesium oxide (magnesia) with a concentrated solution of magnesium chloride.
\[CaS{O_4}.2{H_2}O\]is the chemical formula of gypsum. It is a soft sulphate mineral composed of calcium sulphate dihydrate. It is used as a fertilizer and as the main constituent in many forms of plaster, blackboard/sidewalk chalk etc.
\[CaMg{(C{O_3})_2}\] is a formula of dolomite. If we split it we get \[MgC{O_3}.CaC{O_3}\]. It is a basic component of sedimentary rock and especially utilized in the form of an ornamental stone.
Mixture of \[MgC{l_2}\]and \[MgO\]is called Sorel's cement. It is \[MgC{l_2}.5MgO.X{H_2}O\]
-It can be used widely in making floor tiles, industrial flooring purpose, fire protection purpose, making wall insulation panels etc.
-It has a great capacity to bond with other materials.
-It also shows the feature of elasticity.
-It can be easily combined with other filler materials like sand, gravel, etc.

Hence the correct option will be B.

Note: \[KCL.MgC{l_2}.6{H_2}O\] is carnallite which consists of hydrated mixed chloride of potassium and magnesium. The major two components of carnallite are potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). It consists of water molecules also and that is why it is also called hydrated potassium magnesium chloride.