Silver-white metal (hexagonal system). The melting point is 648.5°C. The boiling point is 1107°C. Relative density 1_74. Soluble in inorganic acids and ammonium salts, insoluble in cold water, chromic anhydride and alkali. When exposed to hot water, it decomposes to produce magnesium hydroxide. Does not lose luster in dry air, but in humid air
Oxidized into a gray oxide film. The bulk is stable at room temperature, but the powder and debris are in danger of fire, so care should be taken when handling them. At high temperature, the block is easy to oxidize and burn, so heat treatment and other operations should be carried out under the protection of sulfur dioxide or sulfur hexafluoride atmosphere.