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Travel Mugs : As the name itself suggests travel mugs is specially designed for travelers who wants their beverages hot or cold without missing the convenience and durability .
The effectiveness, safety, and functionality of these mugs are all significantly influenced by the materials that are utilized in their manufacture. Travel mugs are typically made of materials such as stainless steel, plastic, glass, and magnesium. In the recent years usage of magnesium in travelling mugs has increased tremendously. There are many reasons behind the usage of magnesium in travel mugs and we will cover all the information in this blog post.
Popular Materials Used in Travel Mugs:
We have already mentioned above the materials used to manufacture of travel mugs and all of them have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Here we will cite all the pros and cons of each material used on manufacturing traveling mug.
Stainless Steel: One of the most widely used materials is stainless steel, which is an extremely durable material that also provides good insulation. Not only does it not add any flavors to beverages, but it is also resistant to rust.
Plastic: Although plastic mugs are lightweight and inexpensive, they may not provide adequate insulation and may store aromas or flavors over time. Plastic mugs are convenient in carrying as they are light weight and in terms of eco-friendly travel, it is not recommended to carry plastic related utensils or items while travelling.
Glass: One of the best mugs [ in general not for travelling ] all of us should prefer is glass mugs, as they are easy to clean and do not come into contact with juices or other liquids. Only drawback of glass mug is it is very delicate and easily breaks. So Glass mugs are less suitable for travel related activities.
Magnesium: Magnesium is a material that is becoming increasingly popular in the drinkware market due to the characteristics that it possesses that are unique, such as being lightweight and extremely robust.
Advantages of Utilizing Magnesium in Travel Mugs :
Magnesium is a metal that has a number of advantages, which makes it an appealing option for manufacturers of travel mugs:
Lightweight: Because of its low weight, magnesium is considered to be one of the lightest structural metals. In fact, it is substantially lighter than stainless steel. The portability of travel mugs is improved as a result of this, particularly for individuals who are constantly on the move.
Durability: Magnesium is extremely robust, despite the fact that it is quite lightweight. The fact that it is able to survive bumps and drops is an essential quality for a mug that is intended for travel.
Heat Conductivity : Magnesium is able to effectively regulate temperature due to its high thermal conductivity, which is a strong characteristic of mineral. The temperature of the beverage can be kept at a consistent level for longer periods of time thanks to this.
Eco-friendly: Magnesium is a material that is abundant and can be recycled with relative ease, making it an environmentally acceptable alternative to certain polymers. You guys can use magnesium travel mugs on a eco-friendly travel. In our earlier blog post we have covered information “What exactly is eco-friendly travel ?”, go through the article, you may find it useful.
Magnesium is becoming an increasingly popular material for use in modern travel mugs due to its combination of lightweight toughness and thermal efficiency. This is especially true for individuals who are seeking for choices that are both sturdy and portable.
Does Usage of Magnesium in Drinkware Utensils is Safe ?
When it comes to the type of materials used for drinkware, safety is the major consideration. Because magnesium is becoming increasingly popular as a material for travel mugs, it is critical to have a solid understanding of the safety of magnesium in relation to food and drink.
Magnesium, despite its widespread application across a variety of industries, offers a number of considerations that must be taken into account when it comes to its interaction with beverages.
Is Travel Mugs with Magnesium Safe?
On its own, magnesium is a mineral that occurs naturally and is essential to the health of humans. Magnesium is not only safe to consume in our diets, but it is also needed for a variety of tasks, including the performance of our muscles and nerves! When appropriately coated or treated to prevent corrosion or interactions with liquids, magnesium, which is used as a material in travel mugs, is usually considered to be safe for contact with food and beverages. Food-safe coatings are frequently applied by manufacturers in order to prevent direct contact between the magnesium and the beverage, hence insuring the beverage’s safety.
Even if magnesium in its purest form has the potential to react with certain substances, the alloy form of magnesium or the protective coatings that are commonly used in drinkware help to ensure that the material is safe for continuous use with both hot and cold beverages.
Reactions of Magnesium with Liquids (Hot and Cold) :
It is well knowledge that magnesium is a reactive metal, particularly when it is subjected to particular chemicals or surroundings with a high concentration of moisture. When magnesium is utilized in its unprocessed state, it has the potential to undergo oxidation, corrosion, or even a reaction with acidic liquids such as coffee, soda, or orange juice. Nevertheless, in order to lessen the likelihood of the metal reacting directly with liquids, the magnesium that is used in modern drinkware is typically treated or alloyed.
Magnesium’s heat-conducting qualities enable it to effectively retain heat when it is exposed to hot beverages; but, if the exterior of the cup does not have adequate insulation, it may become hot to the touch. It is ensured that hot beverages do not result in any unwelcome chemical reactions or metallic tastes by virtue of the safety coatings that are applied to the interior surface. These coatings prevent direct connection between the metal and the liquid.
Health Concerns Related to Magnesium Exposure :
It is generally not considered to be a substantial health concern to be exposed to magnesium in drinkware as long as the appropriate safeguards are taken. Magnesium, in contrast to heavy metals such as lead or aluminum, is not harmful in the trace levels that may get leached from treated surfaces.
However, if magnesium is not appropriately handled or coated in drinkware, then being exposed to high-acid liquids for an extended period of time could result in trace amounts of the metal being absorbed by the beverage. However, this is not often a cause for concern from a health standpoint. The majority of contemporary manufacturers take measures to guarantee that mugs made of magnesium are in compliance with the safety regulations for food-grade materials.
In exceptional circumstances, people who have certain health concerns, such as kidney illness, may be advised to manage their magnesium intake in order to prevent an excessive accumulation of magnesium. However, this normally relates to magnesium that is consumed through food and not magnesium that is accidentally exposed through drinkware.
Risks of using Magnesium Mugs :
Earlier we have discussed the benefits magnesium offer in travel mugs, like lightweight and long-lasting. Everything in the world has both negatives and positives, similarly we can expect negatives about “Magnesium Mugs “.
It is essential to take into consideration the potential hazards of using Magnesium Mugs . This is especially true with regard to the concern of long-term safety, corrosion, and reactivity with specific beverages.
Corrosion and Oxidation of Magnesium :
Magnesium, in its unprocessed state, is a highly reactive metal, which means that it, when exposed to air and moisture for an extended period of time, is susceptible to oxidation and corrosion. Given that mugs are frequently in contact with liquids, this is a significant cause for concern regarding drinkware. It is possible for magnesium oxide to accumulate as a result of oxidation, which can cause the structure of the material to become more fragile and reduce its lifespan.
The majority of magnesium travel mugs are treated with unique coatings or alloys that help resist corrosion in order to address this issue. The presence of these protective layers establishes a barrier between the magnesium and the surrounding environment, so lowering the likelihood of corrosion and ensuring that the cup is safe for prolonged usage. On the other hand, if the coating were to wear off or get damaged, the magnesium that lies behind it might be exposed to air and moisture, which would increase the likelihood of corrosion.
Interaction with Acidic or Hot Beverages :
Certain drinks, particularly acidic ones like coffee, fruit juices, or soda, are known to react with magnesium. Magnesium is known to react with these liquids. Magnesium that has not been treated will corrode more quickly when it is exposed to acidic liquids; as a result of this reaction, it is possible that trace amounts of the metal will dissolve into the beverage. This might, over time, not only cause the mug to deteriorate, but it could also impart a metallic flavor to the beverage, which would have an impact on the experience of the user.
As a result of magnesium’s exceptional heat conductivity, the mug had the potential to become extremely warm to the touch when it was filled with hot beverages. There is a possibility that extremely hot liquids could speed up the breakdown of protective coatings, which could potentially expose the magnesium to the beverage and increase the risk of corrosion or leaching. This is despite the fact that the interior is normally insulated to prevent direct interaction with the beverage.
Long-term wear and its effects on safety :
When used over an extended period of time, magnesium, like any other material, is susceptible to wear and strain. It is possible for the protective coatings or treatments that have been put to magnesium mugs to deteriorate if they are subjected to liquids, heat, and environmental conditions on a regular basis. It is especially troubling as once the protective layer is broken, the magnesium underneath becomes far more susceptible to corrosion and oxidation. This is the reason why this event is so concerning.
The mug’s structural integrity may be compromised over time as a consequence of prolonged use, which will make it less secure over time. It is possible that corrosion could cause the cup to develop small holes or cracks, rendering it unusable in extreme circumstances. It is recommended that the surface of the mug be inspected on a regular basis, particularly around the interior and the edges, in order to determine any early signs of wear.
Conclusion : Hope we have covered all the facts related to magnesium mugs like their benefits and drawbacks. Magnesium mugs are trending now because of its safety features and durability. If you guys feel we have missed out any other important data related to magnesium travel mugs, please do let us know in the comments section.
