An Introduction to Borax
We have been using borax for cleaning purposes for ages. It was 1st traced in dry lake beds in Tibet and remained the only source of it till 1776 then Italy became the principal source of it until the 1860s. The famous 20-mule team borax company started in Death Valley, California, the US in 1889. It ruled the borax market for a long time.
What is Borax?
Borax is a natural mineral and a salt of boric acid. It is also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. It is an important boron compound. Several closely related minerals that differ in their crystal water content such as decahydrate, pentahydrate, and octahydrate salts are also referred to as borax. Even its anhydrous form is also referred to as borax.
The formula of Borax – As we know the term borax is used for many closely related crystals. So, it has various formulas depending upon its water of crystallization.
Structure of Borax
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Properties of Borax
Physical Properties of Borax –
Its Molar Mass is 202.22 (anhydrous) and 381.38 (decahydrate).
It is a white-colored solid substance.
Its density is 2.4g/cm3 (anhydrous) and 1.73 g/cm3 (decahydrate).
Its melting point is 743 ℃ (anhydrous) and 75 ℃ (decahydrate).
It is soluble in water.
Its boiling point is 1,575℃ (anhydrous).
Chemical properties of Borax –
Borax reacts with acids and can be easily converted into boric acids which is a highly useful compound. The reaction is given below –
Na2B4O7·10H2O + 2HCl → 4B(OH)3 + 2NaCl + 5H2O
It is flammable and produces yellow-green flame.
It is very soluble in ethylene glycol and slightly soluble in acetone.
Reaction with sodium hydroxide –
Na2B4O7 + 7H2O + 2NaOH 🡪 4Na[B(OH)4]
Occurrence of Borax
Borax occurs naturally as deposits in seasonal lakes by their repeated evaporation. It is most commonly found in Turkey, Boron (California), Searles Lake, southwestern United States, the Atacama Desert in Chile, Bolivia, Tibet, and Romania, etc.
Uses of Borax
Few of the Uses of Borax are Listed Below –
As Cleaning Agent – Various properties of borax help to increase its cleaning power. It converts water into hydrogen peroxide during cleaning. It is highly basic so it makes the hot water basic which enhances the effectiveness of bleach or other cleaners.
As an Insect Killer – Borax stops the metabolic process of many organisms. This property of borax makes it a better disinfectant.
It is used in the test of diabetes mellitus.
It is used as a water softening agent.
For welding of iron and steel mixture of borax and ammonium chloride is used as a flux.
Boric Acid vs. Borax
Borax and Boric Acid are two boron chemicals that are related. Borax is a natural mineral that can be mined from the ground or collected from evaporating deposits. The refined chemical that arises from the processing of borax is boric acid (H3BO3). Borax is a boric acid salt. While the chemicals differ in several ways, both forms of the chemical will function for insect control and slime.
Where can I get Borax?
Borax can be found in laundry detergents, hand soaps, and some toothpaste. It is also in one of the following items:
Powdered hand soap
20 Mule Team Borax (pure borax)
Tooth bleaching formulations (check labels for borax or sodium tetraborate)
Some more uses of Borax
Borax has a lot of uses on its own, and it is included in a lot of other items. Here are a few examples of how borax powder and pure borax can be used in water:
Insecticide, used in roach-killing treatments and as a moth repellent (ten percent solution on wool)
Fungicide
Herbicide
Desiccant
Booster for laundry
Cleaner for the house
Agent for water softening
As a preservative, it is a food additive (banned in some countries)
Borax is used in a variety of other items, including:
Buffering solutions
Anti-flame agents
Bleaching toothpaste
Glass, ceramics, and pottery
Glazes made of enamel
This is a precursor to boric acid.
Green-colored flames, slime, and borax crystals are illustrations of science projects.
Chemistry of analysis bead test with borax
Welding flux for iron and steel
FAQs on Borax
1. What is Borax?
Borax, commonly known as sodium tetraborate, is a white powdery mineral that has long been used as a cleaning agent. Borax has a wide variety of use, such as:
It aids in the removal of stains, mould, and mildew from the home.
It has the ability to kill insects like ants.
It is found in laundry detergents and cleaning products to help whiten clothes and remove grime.
It has the ability to eliminate odours as well as soften hard water.
For moisturizing goods, creams, shampoos, gels, lotions, bath bombs, scrubs, and bath salts, borax is occasionally used as an emulsifier, buffering agent, or preservative.
Borax is also used to make "slime," a sticky substance that many kids like playing with when mixed with glue and water.
2. What are handling precautions for Borax?
In general, there are no specific handling precautions. Wear gloves, goggles, and a small face mask. Make sure there is enough ventilation for the exhaust air.
It has a modest level of acute oral and dermal toxicity. It does not irritate "intact" skin, although it can irritate cuts and abrasions. When exposed to it for an extended period of time, it might cause irritation and redness.
It is non-carcinogenic, does not build up in the body, and absorbs poorly through the skin. It is not a skin irritant. It does not immediately repair skin, but it does replace skin-damaging chemicals.
3. Is Borax safe to eat or apply borax to your skin?
Because it is free of phosphates and chlorine, borax is marketed as a green product. Instead, sodium tetraborate, a naturally occurring mineral, is the major constituent.
Sodium tetraborate, the major ingredient in borax, is commonly confused with boric acid, which has similar properties. Boric acid is primarily used as a pesticide and is far more dangerous than sodium tetraborate, thus it should be handled with caution.
While borax is a natural product, it is not fully safe. Borax is frequently packaged with a warning label that states the product is an eye irritant and may be hazardous if eaten.
Borax is mostly found in households. However, it can be seen at work especially in factories or at places where Borax is being mined and refined.
4. What are the differences between Borax and Boric acid?
Sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is another name for borax. It is not the same as boric acid (hydrogen borate), despite the fact that the two are frequently confused. Both chemicals are commonly used as low-toxicity insecticides in homes, and when used as directed, they should not be dangerous to humans or pets. Both compounds are also white powders that dissolve easily in water.
These two chemicals, on the other hand, must not be confused because they are completely different chemical molecules. The distinction between the two is that borax is a natural mineral that can be mined from the ground or collected from evaporating deposits, whereas boric acid (H3BO3) is produced by acidifying borax. As a result, borax is the hydrated salt of boric acid.
5. Where can I find notes on Borax?
Vedantu provides notes and questions on Borax. Professional educators develop content that is simple to understand and remember for students. It covers the physical and chemical properties of borax, as well as the differences between borax and boric acid. Vedantu also offers study materials and a variety of competitive examinations to students in grades 1 through 12. The contents include notes, important topics and questions, revision notes, and other material. All of these resources are available for free on Vedantu. To use all of these resources, students must first register on the Vedantu website. You can also register through Vedantu's mobile app.
