Mg
Magnesium
Z = 12 · Alkaline Earth Metal · 24.3 u
Nuclear Engineering Significance
Used as cladding material in early gas-cooled reactors (Magnox reactors). Low thermal absorption (σ_a = 0.063 b) is favorable, but poor high-temperature strength limits its use. MgO is a component of some ceramic fuels and structural materials.
Basic properties
- Atomic number (Z)
- 12
- Standard atomic mass
- 24.3 u
- Category
- Alkaline Earth Metal
Isotopes & cross-section data
| Isotope | Mass (A) | Half-life | ZAID | Libraries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mg-24 | 24 | Stable | .80c.71c.70c | |
| Mg-25 | 25 | Stable | .80c.71c.70c | |
| Mg-26 | 26 | Stable | .80c.71c.70c |