Boric acid Specification

Introduction

Boric acid, also called boracic acid or Orthoboric acid or Acidum Boricum, When occurring as a mineral, it is called sassolite.it is a weak acid ,often used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant, in nuclear power plants to control the fission rate of URANIUM, and as a precursor of other chemical compounds. It exists in the form of colorless crystals or a white powder and dissolves in water.

Boric acid is soluble in boiling water. When heated above 170°C it dehydrates, forming metaboric acid HBO2, a white, cubic crystalline solid and is only slightly soluble in water. when heated above about 300°C further dehydrates, forming tetraboric acid or pyroboric acid, H2B4O7. Boric acid can refer to any of these compounds. Further heating leads to BORON trioxide.

1. The primary industrial use of boric acid is in the manufacture of monofilament fiberglass usually referred to as “textile fiberglass”. Textile fiberglass is used to reinforce plastics in applications that range from boats, to industrial piping to computer circuit boards. Boric acid is used in nuclear power plants to slowdown the rate at which fission is occurring. Fission chain reactions are generally driven by the amount of neutrons present (as products from previous fissions).
Boric acid is used in producing the glass faceplates of LCD flat panel displays. In electroplating, boric acid is used as part of some proprietary formulas. It is also used in the manufacturing of “remming mass”, a fine silica-containing powder used for producing induction furnace linings. Borates including boric acid have been used since the time of the Greeks for cleaning, preserving food, and other activities. It is used in pyrotechnics to prevent the amide-forming reaction between aluminum and nitrates. A small amount of boric acid is added to the composition to neutralize alkaline amides that can react with the aluminum. Boric acid dissolved in methane is popularly used among fire jugglers and fire spinners to create a deep green flame. Boric acid is added to salt in the curing of cattle hides, calfskins and sheepskins. Used in that way it helps to control bacteria development and also aids in the control of insects.

2. Pharmaceutic necessity.

3. boric acid is an effective preservative against yeast. It is used in concentrations of 0.01 to 1.0 percent and has fair to good antiseptic properties. It may also be used as a buffer and denaturant. Boric acid is prepared from sulfuric acid and natural borax. It can cause skin rashes and irritation if used in high concentrations. The use of boric acid in cosmetic preparations is no longer very popular.

4. A substance made by adding hydrochloric acid to a strong, hot solution of borax and water. When cooled, this mixture forms colorless crystals of boric acid. These require washing and recrystallization. Boric acid was occasionally used as an antiseptic and in combined toning and fixing baths.