Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Board (6mm, 9mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, 20mm)
Board Product
ATLAS CODE
MIN-CEM-BRD-001
Category mineral
Material Family Cementitious
Regulatory Status A1
Density
1200 +/- 50 kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
0.2-0.4 kg CO₂e/kg (varies by transport distance) kgCO₂e
Fire Class
A1
Lifespan
50+ years yrs
Description
Magnesium oxide (MgO) boards are mineral-based sheathing panels made from MgO and magnesium sulfate, reinforced with fiberglass mesh. They are non-combustible and moisture resistant, used for wall and ceiling linings.
Primary Sectors
[Commercial][Healthcare][Education]
Typical Uses
- Fire-rated wall systems (FRL 30/30/30 to 120/120/120)
- Bushfire construction (BAL-29, BAL-40, BAL-FZ zones)
- External cladding and façade systems
- Interior wall and ceiling linings
- Wet area construction (bathrooms, laundries)
- Acoustic partition walls
- Structural insulated panels (SIPS)
- Boundary fire walls
- Commercial high-rise construction
- Healthcare and education facilities
Recycled Content 45-50% (MgO is waste product from steel production)
Renewable Content 15-20% (wood fibres)
Recyclability 100%
Embodied Carbon 0.2-0.4 kg CO₂e/kg (varies by transport distance) kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 3-5 MJ/kg MJ/kg
EPD Available No
Advantages
Non-combustible with exceptional fire resistance (AS 1530.1 certified)Completely waterproof and moisture resistant10 times stronger than standard plasterboardResistant to mould, mildew, termites, and bacteria100% recyclable and environmentally friendlyLightweight yet structurally robustExcellent acoustic properties (STC 53-54)No toxic emissions or formaldehyde contentSuitable for direct tiling without waterproofing membraneLong service life with minimal maintenance
Cautions
Higher initial cost than standard plasterboard ($30-45/m² vs $15-20/m²)Chloride-based versions prone to corrosion of metal fasteners in high humidityPotential for 'crying' phenomenon in MOC boards above 90% RHLimited local manufacturing - primarily imported from AsiaRequires specialised cutting tools (carbide blades recommended)Heavier than gypsum board (10-15% more)Quality variation between manufacturersHigh mass loss at elevated temperatures (40-50% at fire exposure)Requires careful storage to prevent moisture absorption before installationLimited availability of Australian-specific technical data
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES MIN-CEM-BRD-001
Density (Dry) 1200 +/- 50 kg/m3
Specific Gravity 0.85-1.2
Porosity 28-35% %
Water Absorption <=10 %
Hardness Shore D 65-75
Surface Roughness Smooth face: Ra 3-5 μm, Rough face: Ra 15-25 μm μm
UV Resistance Excellent - tested to ASTM G154
Chemical Resistance Good resistance to acids and alkalis
pH Tolerance pH 9-11 (alkaline)
Compressive Strength 15-20 MPa MPa
Tensile Strength 3-5 MPa MPa
Flexural Strength >=12 MPa
Shear Strength 2-3 MPa MPa
Elastic Modulus 3000-4000 MPa GPa
Yield Strength 8-12 MPa MPa
Impact Resistance 20.3-25 kJ/m² J/m
Bearing Capacity >=2000 N
Poisson's Ratio 0.15-0.20
Creep Resistance Minimal creep under sustained load <0.2%
Abrasion Resistance Good - suitable for high traffic areas
Thermal Conductivity 0.0988-0.206 W/(m·K) W/mK
Thermal Resistance R-value 0.058-0.203 per 10mm thickness m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 900-1100 J/(kg·K) J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 8-12 × 10⁻⁶/°C μm/m·K
Melting Point 2800°C (MgO) °C
Ignition Temperature >1000°C °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 53-54 (single layer with insulation)
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.05-0.10
Optical
Light Transmittance 0% (opaque material) %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 75-85% (white/light grey finish) %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) Not applicable for interior board
Magnesium oxychloride cement was invented by Stanislas Sorel in 1867. Modern MgO boards emerged in Asia in the 1990s, with significant use in the 2008 Beijing Olympics construction. Introduction to Australia began circa 2010, with CSIRO testing and certification following. The Australian market has evolved to favour sulfate-based (MOS) formulations due to superior performance in high-humidity coastal environments. Major developments include CodeMark certification in 2017 and increasing adoption for bushfire-resistant construction following the 2019-2020 Black Summer fires.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION MIN-CEM-BRD-001
Flame Spread Index 0
Smoke Developed Index 0-3
Combustibility Class A1
Ignition Temperature >1000°C °C
Fire Resistance Rating FRL 60/60/60 (10mm), 90/90/90 (10mm double), 120/120/120 (12mm) hours
Heat Release Rate Negligible kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion No toxic gases produced
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 0.2-0.4 kg CO₂e/kg (varies by transport distance) kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 3-5 MJ/kg MJ/kg
Water Footprint Low - minimal water use in production L/kg
EPD Available No
LEED Points Up to 4 points (low emissions, recycled content)
Circular Economy Score High - fully recyclable, uses waste materials /100
VOC Emissions <0.01 mg/m³ (essentially zero) g/L
Skill Level Intermediate - similar to fibre cement installation
Crew Size 2-3 workers for efficient installation
Installation Time 15-20 m² per worker per day hr/m²
Curing Time 24-48 hours for adhesive hours
Setting Time Immediate mechanical fixing min
Temperature Range 5°C to 40°C during installation °C
Humidity Range Below 90% RH recommended %
Required Tools
Circular saw with carbide bladeDrill with masonry bitsScoring knifeT-squareClass 3 non-corrosive fastenersStructural adhesive (polyurethane)
Certifications Required
General construction licenceAsbestos awareness (for demolition)
Weather Limitations
Avoid installation in rainTemperature >5°C for adhesive application
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY MIN-CEM-BRD-001
Material Cost AUD $30-45 per m²
Installation Cost AUD $25-35 per m² (labour only)
Annual Maintenance Minimal - essentially maintenance-free
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) Lower than alternatives due to durability and fire resistance
Market Availability Good - multiple Australian suppliers
Lead Time 2-6 weeks for standard products, 8-12 weeks for custom weeks
Design Life 50+ years years
Warranty Period 10-15 years typical years
Maintenance Interval No regular maintenance required months
Service Temp Range -40°C to +80°C continuous °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Excellent - suitable for all Australian climates
Dimensional Stability Excellent - <0.3% shrinkage, <0.6% swelling
Certifications Held
CSIRO tested and approvedCodeMark certified (selected brands)JAS-ANZ certified manufacturersLow VOC emissions verifiedFormaldehyde-free certification availableRecyclable material certificationAsbestos-free certifiedNon-toxic material verificationSafe for sensitive environments
Fire Code Compliance
AS 1530.1:1994 Non-combustibilityAS/NZS 1530.3:1999 Flame propagationAS 1530.4:2014 Fire resistanceAS 3837 Smoke generation
Standards Compliance
NCC/BCA compliantAS 3959-2018 Bushfire constructionAS/NZS 2908.2 Cellulose-cement productsASTM E84 Surface burningASTM E119 Fire resistanceASTM G154 UV resistanceASTM G21 Fungal resistanceISO 1182 Non-combustibilityISO 5660 Heat releaseEN 13501-1 Fire classificationEN 12467 Fibre cement sheets
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.