Some Important Compounds of Boron
Boron is a compound that is formed when oxygen merges with various other natural elements. It is a naturally occurring compound that is found on coal, shale, sedimentary rocks, seas and also specific soils. Another way is when rocks containing boron weather themselves out, then boron enters the atmosphere. It is also found in the form of boric acid vapour from volcanic activities, seawater and other geothermal activities. Because countries like Turkey, the USA, Argentina, Russia, Chile, Peru and China have desert areas in ample, boron is usually extracted from here.
Properties of Boron
When boron is found in its pure and crystalline form, it is a lustrous black in colour and can be used as a semiconductor. It is a non-metal with a high melting point, found in Group 13 in the periodic table, the same as aluminium. Boric acid and different kinds of borates are water-soluble and soluble in some biological fluids like blood and saliva, when their concentration is at low levels. Boron is also an allotropic element that exists in both metal and powdered forms.
What are some of the prominent borate products found in the market? They are boric acid, borax, colemanite, ulexite, sodium perborate and borax pentahydrate. Some important compounds of boron include kernite, orthoboric acid, calcium borate, borax and boron hydrides in white crystalline form.
Uses of Boron
Boron is quite a widely used element. Some of its applications are as follows -
A controlled and measured percentage of elemental boron is used to increase the sturdiness of steel.
In Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), metal borides with high isotopes of 10B are used to ingest neutrons which helps patients suffering from brain tumours.
It is used to create defensive shields.
It is also used as a semiconductor in electronic gadgets.
In manufacturing bulletproof vests and light composite material for airships, we use boron fibres because they are sturdy and light in weight.
Boric acid is one of the boron’s invaluable components and is used in mild antiseptics, tile glazers, eye drops and washing powders.
What is Aluminium?
Extracted from the earth’s crust, Aluminium (Al) is available in 8.1% on the planet which is the highest as compared to other metals. Aluminium cannot be found naturally though. It is found in cryolite and bauxite which are also known as aluminium silicates, upon processing which we get aluminium. It was in 1889, that effective techniques to extract and process aluminium was discovered. Aluminium is preferably used in industrial settings. Pure aluminium cannot be utilised even in commercial settings. In fact, there is a decrease in the usage of aluminium and its amalgams as well owing to their toxic nature.
Properties of Aluminium
Aluminium is a chemical element that is usually silvery-white in colour and quite light in weight. Remember that aluminium can be found in a combined form in almost every rock and vegetation although it is found in a pure metallic form in nature. One of the reasons why pure aluminium is not used readily is because it is weak and malleable, however commercial aluminium is quite hard, strong and durable by nature. Because aluminium as a metal is highly resistant to corrosion, we find it being utilised as a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Hence, aluminium can be utilised in various ways in different objects as per its properties. As a non-ferrous metal, aluminium is mixed with various other metals and alloys are formed and used as per requirements. Aluminium forms alloys with manganese, magnesium silicon and copper in such a way that it is able to enhance the properties of these metals.
Uses of Aluminium
Aluminium and its alloys have various uses, some of which are as follows -
Used in shaping poles, tubes, pipes, plates, wires and foils.
As a good conductor of electricity, aluminium is used in electrical transmission lines.
In factories, it used to make utensils and in the manufacturing of planes and various other automobiles because of its sturdiness and lightweight.
It is used in air-conditioners and solar conductors.
Remember how we would use aluminium foil during long journeys to wrap our food to keep it warm and fresh? That is also one of its applications in our daily lives!
It is also largely used in construction in bridges, ladders, wiring, doors, etc.
FAQs on Uses of Boron and Aluminium
1. What are some important uses of boron in different industries?
Boron has several specialised uses. It's a key component in borosilicate glass (like Pyrex), which resists heat and chemicals. In nuclear reactors, it's used in control rods to absorb neutrons. Boron fibres are used to make lightweight but strong materials for aircraft parts and sports equipment like golf clubs.
2. What are the most common uses of aluminium in our daily lives?
Aluminium is one of the most widely used metals due to being lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant. Its common uses include:
- Packaging: Cans for drinks and foils for wrapping food.
- Transportation: Building cars, aeroplanes, and bicycles.
- Construction: Window frames, door frames, and roofing.
- Household Items: Cooking utensils and kitchenware.
3. What are the main differences between boron and aluminium?
The key difference is that boron is a metalloid while aluminium is a metal. This leads to other differences:
- Conductivity: Boron is a poor conductor of electricity, whereas aluminium is an excellent conductor.
- Appearance: Boron is typically a dark, amorphous powder or a crystalline solid, while aluminium is a silvery-white, shiny metal.
- Reactivity: Aluminium is generally more reactive than boron.
4. Why are boron and aluminium placed in the same group (Group 13) in the periodic table?
Boron and aluminium are in the same group because they share a similar outer electronic configuration. Both elements have three valence electrons (two in the s-orbital and one in the p-orbital). This similarity in their outermost shell dictates their chemical behaviour, such as typically forming a +3 oxidation state.
5. If aluminium is a reactive metal, why is it used for window frames and cooking pots that are exposed to air and water?
Although aluminium is reactive, it doesn't corrode easily because it instantly reacts with oxygen in the air to form a very thin, tough, and transparent layer of aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) on its surface. This protective layer is non-reactive and prevents the metal underneath from coming into contact with air or water, thus stopping any further corrosion.
6. What makes certain boron compounds like borax and boric acid so useful?
The usefulness of boron compounds comes from their unique chemical properties. Borax is used in laundry detergents as a water softener and cleaning agent. Boric acid has mild antiseptic properties, making it useful in eyewashes and skincare products. Orthoboric acid is also used in the manufacture of heat-resistant glass and pottery glazes.
7. Why is aluminium often used as an alloy, like duralumin, instead of in its pure form for building aeroplanes?
While pure aluminium is lightweight, it is not very strong. To build something as demanding as an aeroplane, you need a material that is both light and incredibly strong. By mixing aluminium with small amounts of other metals like copper, magnesium, and manganese, we create an alloy called duralumin. This alloy retains the lightness of aluminium but is significantly stronger and more durable, making it perfect for aircraft construction.
8. How does the nature of boron and aluminium explain their different roles in technology?
The different natures of boron and aluminium lead to very different applications. Boron's properties as a metalloid and semiconductor make it crucial in electronics and high-strength composites. In contrast, aluminium's properties as a lightweight, conductive, and ductile metal make it a bulk material for construction, transportation, and packaging. Essentially, boron is used for specialised, high-tech roles, while aluminium is a versatile, everyday structural material.
