Borax pentahydrate

Borax is one of the boric acid salts and one of the most important boron compounds, also known as odium borate, sodium tetraborate. Borax pentahydrate. The chemical formula for this substance is Na2B4O7.5H2O.

The appearance of this substance is granular or white powder and its aqueous solution is alkaline.

It is stable under normal conditions and free flowing and is easily controlled by air or mechanical conveying.

It has been around for many years and was first discovered in Tibet on dry lake beds. It was used for washing and other cleaning during the 19th century.

Applications

It has many uses in itself and is also used in the manufacture of some products:

• Insect killer, particularly in roach killing products and as moth-preventative
• Fungicide
• Herbicide
• Desiccant
• Laundry booster
• Household cleaner
• Water softening agent
•  Food additive as a preservative
• This material is used in several other products including:
•  Buffer solutions
• Flame retardants
• Teeth bleaching products
• GlassوCeramics and pottery
• Enamel glazes
•  the precursor for boric acid
• Science projects such as green-colored fire,
• slime
• and borax crystals,
• Analytical chemistry borax bead test,
• Flux for welding iron and steel.

It is also used to make buffer solutions in biochemistry, as a fire retardant, as an anti-fungal compound, in the manufacture of fiberglass, as a flux in metallurgy, neutron-capture shields for radioactive sources, a texturing agent in cooking, as a precursor for other boron compounds, and like boric acid, is effective as an insecticide.

They are used in the production of ultra-thin LCD screens, heat resistant glass and fiberglass and account for 43% of world demand for these products.

It is used to create a coating that protects metals from corrosion.

These compounds, together with zinc compounds, are used as flame retardants in polymeric coatings of electric cables and cellulose insulation.

 In Ceramics and Glazes

Formerly used in ceramic glazing, this mineral is still used in modern ceramics to maintain a good fit between glaze and clay, enhancing durability and shine. Used to reduce energy consumption during the production of this material in the tile body.

Borates modified glass structure enhances resistance to thermal or chemical attack