What is Borax used for?
Borax is a chemical compound that consists of the element boron and is united to soda and oxygen molecules. Borax is also referred to as sodium borate, disodium tetraborate, or tetraborate formula. It is a very soft and extremely colourless chemical compound and can easily dissolve when mixed with water. The major forms of borax are decahydrate salt or anhydrous salt and also pentahydrate salt in some instances. This chemical compound is made up of Boron, Oxygen, and Sodium and the mixture of these three create Sodium Tetraborate.
The Borax formula is : Na2H4B4O9•nH2O
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Chemical Structure of Borax
Physical and Chemical Properties of Borax
Properties of borax rise from the same composition as the boron compound. Borax is considered as salt or mineral of boric acid and is found as a crystalline mineral in the natural form. Boron is made up of a metalloid element with the properties that is “intermediate” between aluminium and carbon. It is a rare chemical and is found in Kenite and borax.
General Properties
The chemical formula of sodium borate is Na2[B4O5(OH)4]-8H2O. Borax is an odourless solid with 201.22g/mole molecular weight and it melts when it reaches 741℃. It is non-corrosive and stable when present in the glass. This chemical compound is incompatible with mercuric chloride, alkaloid salts, zinc sulphate, and various other salts that are metallic in nature. It is also not compatible with moisture and is often regarded as disodium tetraborate, disodium salt, boric acid, sodium tetraborate decahydrate as well as sodium borate.
Borax can be bluish, green, grey as well as white in colour and has a solubility power of 6g to 100g of water. It has a density of 1.73 and a boiling point of 320oC. As per its pH, borax is considered to be alkaline in nature. In nature, borax is found as a white solid under standard pressure and temperature conditions.
Sodium Borate Uses
Borax is regarded as the precursor that serves several commercial important compounds of boron and the most important one is boric acid that is used majorly in the form of an insecticide.
Borax is a compound that is also found in various metallurgical processes.
It is a strong compound and serves as an agent that helps in cross-linking while preparing slime.
Biochemistry is a vast field and the use of borax in this field is considered very important and helps in the manufacture of various buffer solutions.
It is also applied in many cooking processes and serves as a compound that helps in texturing the agent.
This chemical compound is also found while capturing any kind of shield for transportation, safe storage as well as using radioactive chemical substances.
It is also used as an antifungal agent that can help to kill fungi and stop their harmful growth.
Borax also has the capability of serving as a flame retardant.
Borax is also found in a variety of cosmetics, glazes, detergents, and enamel products.
Borax uses for Health
The benefits of including borax in a health supplement are not known to many. But it has very unique properties that benefit the one having it. They are:
Bone Health:
Borax is regarded as an important chemical for the growth of bones and it also helps to maintain and keep the bones healthy. It acts as a booster for the starters and later helps in building the body parts. Magnesium and calcium are considered to be very essential for the bones and if a body has very little borate then the excretion increases and that is not good for the health.
Osteoarthritis:
Sodium borate supplements act as a shield and protect the body from osteoarthritis by relieving the pain and strengthening the body.
Uses of borax in Chemistry
Borax is regarded as an important boron component and is used for many chemical purposes. It is white in colour but a microscopic view reveals that it is composed of minute colourless particles.
Did You Know?
Borate acid is present on your television screens.
Boric acid is one of the major ingredients in Silly Putty
Boric acid acts as a resistance for glass products.
Borax finds use in a multitude of fields- from Medicines to Skincare. But the health effects of borax are still an issue of controversy and hence, are subject to further research.
FAQs on Borax Uses
1. What is borax and what are its main uses in everyday life?
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, a salt of boric acid. Its chemical name is sodium tetraborate decahydrate. It's a soft, white crystal that dissolves in water. In our homes, it is commonly used as a multi-purpose cleaner, a laundry booster to soften water and remove stains, and to kill pests like ants.
2. What is the chemical formula for borax?
The chemical formula for borax is Na₂[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·8H₂O. This complex formula tells us it contains sodium (Na), boron (B), and oxygen (O) atoms, along with water molecules (H₂O). The presence of water molecules makes it a hydrated salt, which is important for many of its chemical properties.
3. How is borax different from baking soda?
Borax and baking soda are both white powders used for cleaning, but they are different chemicals. Borax is sodium tetraborate, a boron compound, and is more alkaline. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a carbon compound, and is much milder. While both can be used for cleaning, borax is a stronger agent and is also used as an insecticide, which baking soda is not.
4. How does borax work as an insecticide for bugs like ants and cockroaches?
Borax acts as a stomach poison for insects. When pests like ants or cockroaches ingest borax, often mixed with a bait like sugar, it damages their digestive system and also affects their outer skeleton. This process is not instant but is very effective. It's crucial to place the borax bait where pets and children cannot reach it.
5. What is the difference between borax and boric acid?
Borax and boric acid are related but distinct compounds. Borax (sodium tetraborate) is a mineral salt that is mined from the earth. When borax is reacted with an acid, like hydrochloric acid, it forms boric acid (H₃BO₃). Think of borax as the parent material and boric acid as a substance derived from it. Boric acid is often considered more potent for certain applications, like as an antiseptic.
6. What happens when you heat borax?
When you heat borax powder, it first loses its water molecules and swells up into a puffy, white mass. If you continue to heat it until it melts, it forms a clear, glassy liquid. This liquid solidifies into a transparent, glass-like bead known as a borax bead. This property is famously used in the borax bead test in chemistry labs to identify certain metal ions by the colour they impart to the bead.
7. Why is borax used in making glass and pottery glazes?
Borax is used in making glass and pottery glazes because of its ability to act as a flux. A flux is a substance that lowers the melting point of other materials. When added to the raw materials of glass (like silica), borax helps everything melt at a lower temperature, which saves energy. It also makes the final product, like borosilicate glass, more resistant to thermal shock and chemical corrosion.
8. Can borax be used on plants, and if so, how?
Yes, borax can be used for plants, but with extreme caution. Boron (the key element in borax) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth, helping with cell wall formation and flowering. However, there is a very fine line between a helpful amount and a toxic amount. It should only be used in very small, diluted quantities and only if a soil test confirms a boron deficiency. Applying too much borax will kill plants.
9. What safety precautions should be taken when using borax at home?
While useful, borax must be handled with care. Here are some key safety precautions:
- Always keep borax out of reach of children and pets, as it is toxic if ingested.
- Avoid inhaling the powder. It's a good idea to wear gloves when handling it to prevent skin irritation.
- Never use it on food-contact surfaces like cutting boards or dishes.
- Clearly label any container with borax to avoid accidental misuse.
