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Borate uses (Markets)

The following are the most frequent uses for borates:
 
AGRICULTURE
 
Boron is a micronutrient essential to the proper growth of a large variety of vegetables such as corn, soya, alfalfa, cotton, coffee, fruit trees, peanut, grapes and strawberries. It is also used for the right growth of trees in woods and meadows. Its use is recommended to correct soil deficiencies according to the specific needs of each particular growing, therefore a correct study of the soil composition is required before using each fertilizer.
 
CERAMICS
 
Borates, as well as silica, are mainly used as components of the frits in order to give a durable superficial finish to ceramic/metallic substrates. One of the most important functions of the boron in the frits is as a flux, allowing for the reduction of its fusion point. It is also used to reduce its viscosity and its coefficient of expansion. In some frits the content of B2O3 can reach up to 25% depending on its application.
 
DETERGENTS
 
Borates are frequently used as detergents and in the composition of industrial cleaners. They are also used as bleaching agents, enzyme stabilization and as water softener agent.  
 
FIBER GLASS
 
This is a regular use for borates mostly because of their properties such us resistance to water and chemical attacks. Besides, fiberglass is usually used as electric circuit component, as PRFV structures support, in insulating and textile applications. Borates provide fluidity and reduce fusion temperature in the productive process. Borates also contribute to absorb infrared radiation, thus improving its insulating condition.
 
GLASS
 
Addition of boron compounds to the glass turns it heat resistant, reduces the coefficient of expansion and prevents glass devitrification. It also increases resistance to scratch, brightness and resistance to acids. According to the type of glass, the content of B2O3 can range between 0.5% and 23 % in weight. Another property conveyed to borosilicate glass by borates is the increase of mechanical resistance as well as the resistance to chemicals and water. It also increases resistance to thermic shocks. The most important uses of this type of glass are: glass for kitchen, high voltage electric insulators and glass material for laboratories .
 
FLAME RETARDANTS
 
They are used to reduce the flammability level of different materials, preventing ignition and flame spreading. They are frequently used to treat wood, agglomerate, wood fiber, paper and natural fibers such as cotton. As regards wood, it is impregnated with a solution of B2O3 by immersion, spraying or under pressure.
 
WOOD TREATMENT
 
  Borates constitute the main treatment against organisms that attack wood known at present. On the other hand, borates are highly effective against fungus, termites and ants.  
 
OTHERS 
  • CELLULOSE insulator
Borates are used as a key component in the composition of cellulose wool, widely used as insulator, as boron confers fire-proof properties.
  • Plastics
It is used as a component in the composition of plastics such as PVC.
  • Textiles
It is incorporated into the clothes through immersion furnishing them with ignition properties.
  • Paper
Borates are incorporated in the paper processing with a content of up to 20 % in some cases, giving it proven fire-proof properties.
  • METALLURGY
Metallurgical applications represent just a small share of the total boron demand in the market. According to its use, it can be divided in the following categories:
    1. Steel: Boron conveys hardness to it; as regards stainless steel, boron confers more resistance when working at high temperatures.
    2. Alloys: Boron acts as carbide former and it also increases the resistance to abrasion with the addition of 0.03%.
    3. Aluminum: Boron is added to aluminum alloys in a percentage of up to 5%, which confers a better granular structure.
    4. Applications as flux: Borates dissolve a wide range of metallic oxides and this property is exploited as flux in some metallurgical applications.
    5. Galvanoplastics: In this cases, boron is used as cleaner and buffer in galvanoplastic solutions.
    6. Magnets: This application is increasingly being used over the time, an alloy of Nd, Fe and B is used.
    7. Gypsum walls: Adding borates to gypsum results in a higher rigidity to its sheet, allowing for a weight reduction of 10% for the same functions.
    8. Refractory compounds of boron: Some metallic compounds of boron, whose outstanding characteristics are: high fusion points, hardness, electrical conductivity, chemical stability and low coefficients of expansion, are used in abrasives, protective covers of oxidation, metallic compounds of high thermic resistance ( up to 1500°C).
    9. Fibers composed of boron: They consist of polymeric resins reinforced with boron fibers, which are used in aerospace applications because of their high resistance to abrasion and attrition.
    10. Refractory additives: Some compounds of boron provide resistance to the oxidation of refractory additives.
    11. Pharmaceutical products: Certain borates in their pure form are added to some cosmetics and drugs for external use because of their softening and antiseptic properties.