They are used by people in a wide variety of industries. Borax is one of them. It is used in industry, agriculture, technology, medicine, everyday life, etc. What is borax? This mineral, also called tincal or sodium borate, has unique properties.
General information
So what is borax? This substance crystallizes in a monosymmetric system. In its appearance it resembles augite columns. Translated from Persian, its name means “white”. Transparent borax, the use of which is possible after careful processing of the crystals, is practically colorless or slightly grayish. It is characterized by a greasy sheen and a sweetish-alkaline taste. The substance is soluble in water. To do this, as a rule, take 14 parts of water for 1 part of tincal. of the mineral in question is 60.8 °C. When melted, the fire turns yellowish, and the substance itself turns into colorless glass.
Chemical composition of borax
Let's look at what borax is from a chemistry point of view. Formula of the substance: Na 2 B 4 O 7. Most often it exists as a crystalline hydrate of Na 2 B 4 O 7 .10H 2 O, which corresponds to 16% sodium, 37% boric acid and 47% water. Borax is the raw material for obtaining the compounds it contains. The quality of the substance is controlled by GOST 8429-77. Borax is marketed as a white crystalline powder, the quality of which depends on various chemical elements and the degree of purification. The product comes in two grades: A (borax mass fraction is at least 99.5%) and B (94%). It also contains carbonates, sulfates, lead and arsenic.
Mining and receiving borax
This substance is most often mined in natural conditions. What is borax in the broad sense of the word? This mineral belongs to the class of borates. It is a chemical sediment of drying salt lakes. The substance in question first appeared in Europe after it was discovered in Tibetan salt lakes. This is where its other name comes from - tinkal. Some Californian shallow lakes are rich in brown, where fairly large crystals are mined. You can find technical and food grade sodium tetraborate on sale.
In 1748, borax was first obtained from boric acid and soda by the French chemist Enouville. And nowadays, some enterprises are engaged in the production of artificial sodium tetraborate decahydrate. Do-it-yourself borax can be obtained by neutralizing boric acid with sodium carbonate, followed by evaporation of this mixture and filtration. This process is based on the following chemical reaction: Na 2 C0 3 + 4H 3 VO 3 = 6H 2 O + CO 2 + Na 2 B 4 0 7. Prepare a soda solution in a container and heat it to 95-100 ˚C, stirring constantly. Then boric acid is poured there. To prevent the solution from foaming, it is added in small portions. The ratio between the components should be such that the solution contains 16-20% Na 2 B 4 0 7 and 0.5-1.0% Na 2 C0 3. The mixture is boiled for 30 minutes, filtered and cooled until crystals are obtained. An artificial chemical mineral differs from a natural mineral by rhombohedral crystals and contains less water. It can only be used for technical and medical purposes.
Borax: industrial applications
The technical applications of this substance are quite diverse. Borax is a component of fluxes for welding metals, including precious ones. As part of the charge, it is used in the production of glass, enamels, and glazes, since it is an irreplaceable source of boron oxide. It is used for the manufacture of antiseptics, insecticides and as a preservative during the processing of raw hides. Borax is needed to produce electrolytes in metallurgy.
Tinkal is a starting material in the manufacture of sodium perborate, which is the main oxygen-containing bleaching component in synthetic detergent powders. To improve cleaning properties and maintain the necessary viscosity, acidity, and impart the ability to form emulsions, sodium tetraborate is included in household and industrial cleaning products, rubs and polishes. Borax is used to make lubricants and brake fluids; It is also indispensable in the production of antifreeze, since when it interacts with iron, it forms a complex anti-corrosion compound. It is also used in the production of various adhesives.
Use of borax in everyday life
This mineral has long been used by people as a natural cleanser. Ground borax is used to effectively clean plumbing fixtures. Do you want your toilet to shine? No question: it will be enough to pour 1 glass of ground mineral into it and leave it overnight. By brushing your plumbing in the morning, you can remove almost any stubborn dirt. An aqueous solution of borax is used as a detergent (2 tsp per 0.5 l of liquid).
To prepare a thick paste of water and borax. It is spread on the moldy surface and left for 12-24 hours. The dried paste is swept away with a brush, and the remains are washed off with water. This product is only suitable for relatively water-resistant surfaces. In addition, borax is used together with starch to treat collars and cuffs. It is also used when washing items made from wool (1 tsp per 1 liter of water). For what? Very simple: to give products softness.
Application in medicine
Sodium tetraborate is used as an antiseptic for rinsing, douching, treating the skin and mouth. For this, glycerin (20%) or aqueous solutions of borax are used. There are no alcohol solutions because the substance is insoluble in alcohol. Borax should be stored in a tightly sealed container and out of the reach of children, since in large quantities and in high concentrations it can be harmful to health.
Borax is an active substance that is included in some medications. By itself, it is a crystalline hydrate of the sodium salt of the so-called tetraboric acid. It occurs in nature as a white or gray-yellow mineral that dissolves well in water.
What is the effect of Borax?
Borax, a derivative of boric acid, has an antiseptic effect. In addition, it has a bacteriostatic effect, that is, it slows down the growth and development of pathogenic microorganisms, and fungistatic activity has also been detected. The antiseptic is not absorbed into the body through intact skin.
What are the indications for use of Borax?
Preparations containing the active component Borax are indicated for use as antiseptics that can be used in dermatological practice, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology.
What are the contraindications for use of the substance Borax?
Borax-based preparations should not be used if you are hypersensitive to this substance. It is contraindicated to use the product internally; it is intended for external use only.
Preparations containing Borax can be used together with boric acid as an antimicrobial agent in a dosage form such as eye drops, but it is recommended to use the drug only after prior consultation with an ophthalmologist.
What are the side effects of Borax?
When using medications containing Borax, some local side effects may occur, in particular, redness of the skin may appear, and some burning may occur directly at the site of application of the drug.
In addition to local reactions, symptoms of chronic intoxication cannot be excluded, which will develop after prolonged use of medications containing the active substance Borax. For example, some gastrointestinal disorders may occur in the digestive system, anorexia may develop, and dyspeptic symptoms may appear.
In addition, with chronic intoxication of drugs containing Borax, side effects from the nervous system may be observed, for example, the patient may feel increasing weakness, in severe advanced cases, confusion may occur, in addition, seizures may occur.
Side effects may also affect the skin; in this case, dermatological reactions of a negative nature will be noted, in particular dermatitis develops, and alopecia may occur, which goes away after discontinuation of the drug.
Other side effects include laboratory changes in the form of anemia, and menstrual irregularities are also possible. If the above manifestations are present, it is recommended to stop using such medications, and you should also consult a doctor about further treatment procedures.
What is the use and dosage of Borax? Borax treatment
The use of medications containing Borax is carried out individually and depends directly on the indications and the dosage form used. Before using them, it is recommended to first consult with a specialist.
Borax overdose
In case of an overdose of the drug Borax, the instructions for use note the following symptoms: pain in the abdomen, vomiting, nausea, impaired intestinal motility, which will be expressed by diarrhea, in addition, dehydration, general weakness, as well as headache and temporary loss of consciousness cannot be excluded.
In addition, generalized convulsions will be observed, cardiovascular failure will be noted, and the patient may have damage to liver and kidney function.
In this situation, it is necessary to provide the patient with appropriate medical measures, in particular, rinse the stomach as soon as possible after poisoning, prescribe forced diuresis; in severe cases, hemodialysis is indicated. In addition, riboflavin mononucleotide is injected intramuscularly in an amount of 10 mg/day.
It is necessary to correct the developed acidosis and water-electrolyte balance; for this, sodium bicarbonate solution is administered intravenously; in addition, plasma-substituting solutions, glucose, and sodium chloride are indicated. If there is pain in the abdomen, one milliliter of 0.1% atropine solution and 1 ml of 0.2% platyphylline are injected subcutaneously.
In addition, a 1% solution of promedol can be used as an anesthetic; intravenous administration of a glucose-novocaine mixture is also prescribed. Cardiovascular medications are prescribed according to indications. It is worth noting that the lethal dosage for adults is 10 or 20 grams.
Preparations containing Borax (analogues)
The active component of Borax is contained in the preparation Sodium tetraborate solution in glycerin 20%, it is produced by the pharmacological industry in small bottles, the volume of which reaches 30 grams. It should be stored in a dry place, and it is advisable to place the container in the dark so that the active substance does not decompose in the light.
Conclusion
The use of any medications should be carried out after consultation with a specialist.
This is done by first removing traces of oxides from their surface. Fluxes are used for this. They should prevent oxidation when heated and encourage good flow of molten solder.
For soldering copper products, borax solder ideally meets all requirements. The substance has been known since the Middle Ages. It was mined in the lakes of India and Tibet, then transported to Europe, where it was used for processing fabrics and leather, and producing glass.
Borax is widely used for working with metals. When manufacturing or repairing metal products, borax soldering is carried out. First of all, the method is used for parts made of copper and brass. A special type of this flux is used when repairing jewelry.
The exact origin of the historically established, trivial name has not been fully clarified. According to the chemical nomenclature, borax is a crystalline hydrate of the sodium salt of tetraboric acid.
If the composition contains 10 water molecules, then the substance is called sodium tetraborate decahydrate. There are types of crystalline hydrate with five water molecules.
They are called sodium tetraborate pentahydrates. Strictly speaking, the composition of borax is a salt surrounded by a hydration shell of 10 water dipoles.
At 64 ℃, the decahydrate melts and gradually loses water. Complete dehydration of borax occurs at 380°. The resulting tetraborate withstands heating up to 742° and only then melts.
This gradual melting of borax is somewhat confusing to ordinary consumers who are accustomed to the fact that the substance melts strictly at one temperature value. The specificity is explained by the presence of water molecules in the crystalline hydrate. This feature simplifies the use of borax for soldering.
The quality of the substance is standardized by the state standard. There are two grades of raw materials that represent technical borax:
- Grade A is 99.5% salt decahydrate. The remaining 0.5% consists of carbonates, sulfates, and tiny amounts of lead and arsenic compounds;
- grade B - 94% decahydrate, the impurity content of which is 6%.
Both brands are not very stable. The shelf life of technical borax should not exceed six months. It is recommended to use grade B borax as a flux. It fully meets the soldering requirements and is cheaper than grade A raw materials.
Advantages and disadvantages
Borax-based flux is very popular. This material is always on sale. For soldering copper products, borax is the most affordable flux with budget prices.
Borax is also used for soldering certain types of steels and jewelry alloys. Solders containing copper or silver are suitable for the process. Solder seams can always be simply unsoldered if necessary.
Depending on the elemental composition of the parts, you can use not only crystalline powder, but also a solution. Crystalline hydrate is highly soluble in water.
There are some difficulties when using borax. The solder area is covered with plaque after soldering is completed. It needs to be mechanically cleaned.
The shelf life of the material is limited; it must be stored in a dry place. Despite this, borax remains in demand in production and in the home.
Application of brass and copper powder
Practitioners often use flux that has been stored longer than expected. The borax needs to be melted down again. The cooled powder should be placed in a jar with an airtight lid. Neglecting this procedure can ruin the work due to waste accumulated during storage.
At the beginning of soldering, the working area must be heated to a clearly visible red color.. Heating should begin first at the edges, and then directly at the soldering site.
Then the heated area should be gradually sprinkled with flux, waiting until it spreads in the form of a film along the edges of the part. At this moment, the heated one must be dipped into molten borax so that it is covered with a hot flux film.
As experience shows, the soldering area is red in color, while the borax melt is colored bluish. You cannot keep solder in the flux for a very long time. Oxide residues may form.
Then you should warm up the work area again. The brass will take on an orange glowing appearance. You can proceed directly to soldering. If done correctly, the solder will fill all the gaps.
The soldering area will turn golden. When the process is completed, the hot zone should be sprinkled with borax powder and left to cool. Copper parts in a hot (200 ℃) state can be placed in a mixture containing equal parts acetone and water, or simply in water. It makes sense to immerse the cutters in hot sand.
A correctly made connection has a transparent film with a slight blue tint. There are no solder drops on it. If soldering is performed incorrectly, the seam becomes covered with a black porous crust.
The reason may be overheating of the working area, as a result of which slag is formed, or poor quality of borax-based flux. This is how brass and other copper-containing alloys are soldered.
Application of solutions
For lighter metals, a borax solution is used. Working with liquid flux is much easier; you just need to dip the part into it and start soldering. Jewelry, contacts, wires, and other small parts are soldered in a similar way.
Sometimes the presence of borax alone in the flux is not enough. In such cases, mixtures are used for soldering. A common additive that helps cope with the problem is boric acid.
Usually acid and borax are taken in equal parts. Sometimes zinc fluorides, potassium chlorides, and salts of other alkali metals are used. The powders are thoroughly ground with a pestle in a porcelain mortar. You can take a mortar from another material, the main thing is that it does not absorb the borax mixture.
For any soldering, the ends of the parts are first cleaned.. This can be done with sandpaper, a stiff brush or a file. Then add a thin layer of powder.
The solution can be applied with a brush or by simply dipping the part. Then the working area is heated evenly, without achieving melting of the parts, and soldering is carried out with the required solder. It should spread well at the junction in a thin layer.
The process can be easily done at home. In production, a soldering station is convenient for constant work. There are several types of installations with different configurations.
They are produced in our country and abroad. You can always choose a model that suits the set of functions and cost.
Copper pipe connection
Copper pipelines are expensive. The investment can be justified with careful installation, which is often carried out using a method using borax as a flux.
It is worth noting that today, other fluxes are sold that are more convenient to use. One pipe is inserted into the second or fitting so that the gap does not exceed 0.4 mm.
Soldering time is short, 3 minutes. It is important that the parts remain stationary during operation. In order for the borax powder to stick to the surface, the copper is first heated with a torch.
For pipes with a diameter of up to 108 mm, the soldering process is carried out at low temperatures not exceeding 450°. The seam is wide (up to 50 mm), but not very strong. Wide pipes with a diameter greater than 159 mm are soldered at high temperatures. Only professionals can perform the procedure.
In both cases, the solder melt penetrates well into the capillaries of the parts, which contributes to the formation of strong connections. It is recommended to remove any remaining borax.
It must be remembered that soldering is accompanied by the formation of smoke, so you can only work in ventilated areas.
Sodium tetraborate, which has its scientific name, is colloquially called borax. In Asian countries it is called "tinkal". It is familiar to representatives of many professions: soap makers, cosmetologists, doctors. People of different professions sometimes simply cannot do without this substance.
As a food additive, it is allowed only in third world countries, and in Russia and European countries it has long been prohibited for use. This is due to the fact that borax is not excreted from the human body, but, accumulating in tissues, turns into a toxic substance. As a food preservative, it has the number E-285.
Its melting point is 60 degrees. At 320 degrees, all moisture evaporates from the crystals and a white powder is obtained. Borax crystals are transparent or have a grayish tint, but always with a greasy sheen.
Description of the substance
Borax is a combination of boric acid and soda. This substance owes its appearance to the French scientist Enouville. Chemists derived its formula and identified three states:
- Pentahydrate.
- Anhydrous state.
- Decahydrate.
This substance is insoluble in alcohols, but dissolves perfectly in glycerin and hot water. Borax can be found in nature in the form of salt deposits when water bodies dry up.
The main deposits of this substance are located in Nevada and California, in Kashmir and the mountains of Tibet.
Area of application of borax
This substance has found a wide range of applications and actively used in various industries:
This substance is actively used not only in production, but also in everyday life, in some cases it turns out to be irreplaceable. It is used as:
You can buy borax at a pharmacy called "Boric acid solution". The powder can be purchased at a hardware store or searched online on specialized sites.
A kilogram of borax for technical purposes will cost about 150-200 rubles. In large quantities it can be purchased in packs of 25 kg. The pharmacy chain sells an aqueous solution. Its cost can vary from 14 to 100 rubles, depending on the region of residence. It is bottled in bottles with a capacity of 30 to 100 milliliters.
The substance is dehydrated stepwise when heated to 380°C to obtain glass. Dissolves in alcohols, glycerin, water, methanol. The natural mineral is borax.
Sodium tetraborate - colorless crystals. An aqueous solution has an alkaline reaction.
physical characteristics
Effect on harmful organisms
Sodium tetraborate is and action. For working individuals of red house ants, entomological efficiency reaches 100% within seven days from the start of exposure, and for females and working individuals in the colony - 100% within 35 days.
Application
Sodium tetraborate decahydrate is used to produce boric acid and other boron compounds, as an antiseptic, and a microcomponent of fertilizers. In addition, the substance is used in glass production, soldering and welding of metals, in the textile, ceramic, leather, soap, food and rubber industries, for impregnating wood and in medicine. In medicine, tetraborate is used primarily in the form of a product called “borax in glycerin.” It is usually used in the fight against fungal infections of the skin and mucous membranes. When applied to damaged areas, the drug may cause irritation.
Toxicological properties and characteristics
Warm-blooded animals and humans. Sodium tetraborate penetrates the skin and has a mild cumulative effect. Does not have a local irritant effect upon contact with the conjunctiva of the eye and skin, does not cause a sensitization effect or an embryotoxic effect.
People who work with the substance often suffer from chronic eczema. When working, it is necessary to protect the respiratory system, eyes and skin from exposure to dust.
Sodium tetraborate, as well as soluble borates, are quickly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In the blood, boron is evenly distributed between red blood cells and plasma, but quickly passes into the tissues. ~10% of the dose is found in soft tissues (mainly in the brain, liver and adipose tissue). The excretion of boron compounds occurs mainly through the gastrointestinal tract.
Hazard classes. based on sodium tetraborate belongs to class IV of low-hazard disinfestation agents according to GOST 12.1.007.