Borax Decahydrate (Technical Grade) - Turkey

Brief Overview

The inorganic powder known as borax, also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate, has a white appearance and the formula Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O or Na₂[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·8H₂O. It is a salt of the substance known as boric acid and a compound of the element boron. It can be found in nature as a mixture of several borax hydrates or as evaporite. Borax has several important qualities, including being very soluble in water, having a moderately alkaline salt action, producing a greenish yellow flame when burned, having strong chemical stability, and having good buffering and fluxing qualities.

Manufacturing Process

The most widely used commercial processes for making borax begin with the use of naturally occurring minerals found in lakes or mines. The combination of minerals, including colemanite and ulexite, is fed into solar evaporation ponds in the form of slurry. To guarantee selective crystallization, impurities including sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium sulfate are concentrated, crystallized, and then eliminated either by filtering or by quickly cooling the mixture. The liquid-liquid extraction process result, sulfate cake, and the filtered brine are then combined to produce potassium sulphate and potassium chloride, which are then further precipitated. After cooling the resultant mixture, borax pentahydrate separates from the residual mixture. In order to create borax decahydrate, this borax product is then redissolved, hydrated, and then filtered.

Fertilizer

In agriculture as well as for the growth and development of healthy plants, boron is a crucial element. Banding, foliar treatments, and broadcasting are the three primary application techniques. When applied directly to the soil, borax dehydrate is dissolved under damp circumstances and absorbed by the roots of the plants. Since some plants absorb nutrients better through their leaves, borates can also be sprayed on the foliage as an additional delivery method. In certain situations, fertilizing using a sprayer is preferable, especially after the dry bulk blend broadcast season has ended. The amount of boron used as fertilizer to the soil varies depending on the plant type, organic matter, soiling, liming, and, most critically, the kind of rain.

Glass and Ceramic Industry

The base and the protective surface might have better adhesion and a strong thermal connection thanks to borax dehydrate. Also, because of its greater bulk density, it is less expensive.

Soap and Detergent Industry

Borax is mainly recognized for its usage in the detergent business, where it adds alkalinity, buffers pH, softens wash water, and aids in the removal of greasy pollutants from clothes.

Metal Recovery

Metals like brass, copper, lead, and zinc can be recovered by dissolving certain metal oxides.

Cosmetics and toiletries

In order to emulsify waxes and other paraffin used as the foundation for lotions, creams, and ointments, borax decahydrate is employed as a cross-linking agent.

Pharmaceuticals industry

The source of borate, an appropriate polymer bed utilized in medicine to identify hyperglycemia in people with diabetes mellitus, is borax.

Corrosion Inhibitor

It keeps ferrous metals from oxidizing, which is why coolants and antifreeze for cars contain them.

Adhesive

It is a component of starch formulations used to make paper and corrugated paperboard adhesives. Adhesives based on dextrin are also made with it.

Cleaning industry

As previously mentioned, broax is also frequently used as a cleaning agent. Borax is used in industrial settings to clean concrete and to clean hard surfaces including ceramics, glass, and metal.

Paper industry

Additionally, borax decahydrate is utilized in the formulation of starch adhesive for paperboard and corrugated paper.

Water Treatment

Borax can be used as a buffer to prevent acidic chemicals from damaging metals and other essential surfaces within wastewater treatment facilities. It is typically employed as a pH buffer and corrosion inhibitor in hear exchange, which is vital for devices that utilize aqueous solutions.

Other applications

Because borax decahydrate is so highly soluble in ethylene glycol, it may also be utilized in automotive antifreeze formulas, polishing, and waxes.