Borax Pentahydrate - United States

Brief Overview

The most widely used form of sodium borate in a variety of industries is borax pentahydrate, also referred to as Etibor 48 or sodium tetraborate pentahydrate. It is a crystalline granular or powder that is white, odorless, and slightly alkaline both in solution and on its own.Etibor 48 is less hygroscopic, has a lower ratio of bound water, and has a higher boron content per unit mass than borax decahyrdate, which is physio-chemically comparable.

Manufacturing Process

High-purity sodium tetraborate pentahydrate is produced by:

(a) Colemanite (2CaO·3B₂O₃.5H₂O) is a mineral that reacts with sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) in an aqueous solution to produce sodium hydroxide and sodium tetraborate, with solid calcium carbonate precipitating;

(b) After separating the precipitated calcium carbonate, treating the aqueous solution from stage (a) with boric acid (H₃BO₃) to neutralize the sodium hydroxide and produce additional sodium tetraborate;

(c) Crystallization is used to separate the sodium tetraborate pentahydrate from the aqueous solution that was obtained in stage (b).

Agriculture

One element that is necessary for soil to support plant growth and development is boron. In agriculture, borax pentahydrate is used to improve yield quality and efficiency.

Antifreeze

It is also utilized as a mixture of anti-freeze additives to stop corrosion in automobile cooling systems.

Construction

Borax pentahydrate is used to create structures that are strong, heat-resistant, and earthquake-resistant. Borax pentahydrate is also very useful for insulating against heat and sound.

Flame Retardants

Flame retardants stop flames from starting and from spreading. Borates are used as flame retardants in a variety of materials. By melting materials, borate compounds shield them from burning by obstructing the flow of oxygen to the flame.

Glass Industry

When glass products require thermo-insulation, borax pentahydrate is added. Because it improves surface hardness, durability, and viscosity when added to molten glass intermediates.

Insulating Fiberglass

Fiberglass insulation uses boron compounds, such as borax pentahydrate. In the construction industry, it is used as building insulation and is applied to the wall and ceiling.

Leather Industry

Borax pentahydrate is used as a lime expectorant in leatherworking.

Soap and Detergent

A natural laundry detergent booster that can be added to the detergent to help clean heavily soiled clothes is borax pentahydrate and borax decahydrate.