What Is the Active Chemical Ingredient in Borax?
Borax has a variety of applications, from detergents to ceramics. It's an ore of boron made up of sodium, boron and oxygen atoms, plus water molecules, which are generally called water of hydration or water of crystallization. Its name, borax, is closely associated with the name of its main component, sodium borate.
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Chemical Formula
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For the sake of simplicity, the main part of the sodium borate or borax molecule is usually assigned the structure Na2B4O7. In fact, the water present in a molecule of borax influences it, so sodium borate's chemical formula is a bit more complex.
Detergent
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While other substances such as perfumes are usually present, the active chemical ingredient in borax is sodium borate. Sodium borate is alkaline, which makes it useful as laundry detergent.
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Fluxes
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A flux is a substance used to improve the joining of one metal to another. Sodium borate is used in specialty fluxes for welding steel and for soldering precious metal jewelry.
Glass and Ceramics
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Borax is an important component of ceramic glazes and of the thermally shock-resistant borosilicate glasses used in homes and restaurants, as well as in laboratories.
Health and Environment
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Traces of boron are valuable, and even essential, to agriculture, animals and humans. However, the Institute of Environmental Health Services suggests there is uncertainty at this time of the possible risks posed by boron to such groups as pregnant women.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Dave Fischer
