mineral / Cementitious / Board Product
Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Board (6mm, 9mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, 20mm)
Non-combustible MgO boards with moisture resistance; typical density ~1200 kg/m3 and thermal conductivity ~0.25-0.35 W/mK.
Atlas code
MIN-CEM-BRD-001
At-a-glance signals
Non-combustible MgO boards with moisture resistance; typical density ~1200 kg/m3 and thermal conductivity ~0.25-0.35 W/mK.
Overview
Executive summary
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.
Best when…
- Non-combustible with exceptional fire resistance (AS 1530.1 certified)
- Completely waterproof and moisture resistant
- 10 times stronger than standard plasterboard
- Resistant to mould, mildew, termites, and bacteria
- 100% recyclable and environmentally friendly
- Lightweight yet structurally robust
- Excellent acoustic properties (STC 53-54)
- No toxic emissions or formaldehyde content
- Suitable for direct tiling without waterproofing membrane
- Long service life with minimal maintenance
Top advantages
- 01 Non-combustible with exceptional fire resistance (AS 1530.1 certified)
- 02 Completely waterproof and moisture resistant
- 03 10 times stronger than standard plasterboard
- 04 Resistant to mould, mildew, termites, and bacteria
- 05 100% recyclable and environmentally friendly
Top limitations
- 01 Higher initial cost than standard plasterboard ($30-45/m² vs $15-20/m²)
- 02 Chloride-based versions prone to corrosion of metal fasteners in high humidity
- 03 Potential for 'crying' phenomenon in MOC boards above 90% RH
- 04 Limited local manufacturing - primarily imported from Asia
- 05 Requires specialised cutting tools (carbide blades recommended)
Technical
Physical ·9
- Density
- 1200 +/- 50 kg/m3 MgO wall sheathing technical datasheet.
- Specific gravity
- 0.85-1.2
- Porosity
- 28-35% %
- Water absorption
- <=10 % ASTM C1185 value in datasheet.
- Hardness
- Shore D 65-75
- UV resistance
- Excellent - tested to ASTM G154 // Source: Multiboard technical data
- Chemical resistance
- Good resistance to acids and alkalis // Source: Manufacturer data
- pH tolerance
- pH 9-11 (alkaline)
- Surface roughness
- Smooth face: Ra 3-5 μm, Rough face: Ra 15-25 μm µm
Mechanical ·7
- Tensile strength
- 3-5 MPa MPa
- Compressive strength
- 15-20 MPa MPa
- Flexural strength
- >=12 MPa EN 12467 flexural strength in datasheet.
- Shear strength
- 2-3 MPa MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.15-0.20
- Impact resistance
- 20.3-25 kJ/m² // Source: Multiple technical specs
- Creep resistance
- Minimal creep under sustained load <0.2% // Source: Long-term studies
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
- Embodied carbon
- 0.2-0.4 kg CO₂e/kg (varies by transport distance) // Source: EPD estimates
- Carbon footprint
- Negative carbon potential through MgO carbonation // Source: LCA studies
- Embodied energy
- 3-5 MJ/kg MJ/kg // Source: LCA research
- Water footprint
- Low - minimal water use in production L/kg
- Recycled content
- 45-50% (MgO is waste product from steel production) % // Source: FireCrunch
- Renewable content
- 15-20% (wood fibres) % // Source: Material composition
- Circular score
- High - fully recyclable, uses waste materials
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·6
- Combustibility class
- A1 EN 13501-1 fire class.
- Fire resistance level
- FRL 60/60/60 (10mm), 90/90/90 (10mm double), 120/120/120 (12mm) // Source: CSIRO testing
- Ignition temp
- >1000°C °C // Source: Fire testing data
- Flame spread index
- 0
- Smoke dev. index
- 0-3
- Heat release rate
- Negligible // Source: Fire performance testing
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
- Material cost (range)
- AUD $30-45 per m² // Source: 2025 Australian market data
- Material cost (per unit)
- AUD $96-144 per 4'×8' sheet (thickness dependent)
- Lead time
- 2-6 weeks for standard products, 8-12 weeks for custom
- Lifecycle cost
- Lower than alternatives due to durability and fire resistance
- Annual maintenance
- Minimal - essentially maintenance-free
- Market availability
- Good - multiple Australian suppliers
Service life & durability ·3
- Expected lifespan
- 50+ years
- Maintenance interval
- No regular maintenance required
- Warranty period
- 10-15 years typical
Layer D
Where it's used
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