What Is Boron Oxide Powder?
Boron oxide, also known as boron trioxide (B2O3), is a colorless, non-crystalline, and hygroscopic compound containing boron and oxygen. Classified as a hazardous and toxic substance under the Industrial Safety and Health Law and the PRTR Law, boron oxide is commonly used in various industries.
Uses of Boron Oxide Powder
Boron oxide finds extensive application as a fluxing agent and cleaning agent in the production of specialty glasses, such as test tubes and optical glass. Its inclusion offers benefits like a lower melting point, enhanced heat resistance, mechanical strength, and improved resistance to water and chemicals. Additionally, it serves as a binder for ceramics when combined with boron nitride and is utilized as a catalyst in organic compound synthesis and refractory brick manufacturing.
Properties of Boron Oxide Powder
Boron oxide, with a molecular weight of 69.62 and CAS number 1303-86-2, melts at approximately 450°C and boils at about 1860°C. It exhibits a specific gravity of 2.46 for crystals and 1.8 for non-crystalline forms. Synthesized by dehydrating boric acid B(OH)3, boric acid is derived from borax through treatment with sulfuric acid. Borax, known as sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7) decahydrate, serves as the precursor.
Other Information on Boron Oxide Powder
1. Boron Oxide as a Raw Material for Glass
Borosilicate Glass: Boron oxide and silicon dioxide combine to form borosilicate glasses, which are utilized as LCD panel substrate glass due to their alkali-free composition and inclusion of alumina (Al2O3).
Porous Glass: Porous glass production involves heat treatment of appropriately composed glass, primarily consisting of SiO2-B2O3-Na2O. Acid treatment separates the B2O3-Na2O phase, resulting in porous glass with a SiO2 backbone.
2. Synthesis of Boron-Based Non-Oxide Ceramics
Boron oxide facilitates the synthesis of boron-containing non-oxide ceramic powders, including boron carbide (B4C), boron nitride (BN), and lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6), through thermal carbon reduction. This solid-phase, endothermic reaction necessitates high temperatures.
3. Ores Containing Boron Oxide
Various ores contain boron oxide, including kernstone, coal ash boronite, colemanite, borate, borite, van derma stone, hydroborosite, kotoishi, dumbry stone, cyberiite, and ludwig stone. These ores can be processed to obtain boron oxide, crucial in multiple industrial applications.