Multifunctional boric oxide source
20 Mule Team® borax decahydrate is the refined form of natural sodium borate. Composed of boric oxide (B2O3), sodium oxide, and water, this mild alkaline salt has excellent buffering and fluxing properties.
What can U.S. Borax’s borax decahydrate do for you?
Available in a white crystalline powder or granular form, our borax decahydrate is an important multifunctional source of boric oxide, particularly for processes in which the simultaneous presence of sodium is beneficial.
Borax decahydrate is a trusted cleaning agent
Gentle on skin and tough on dirt and oils, the inherent characteristics of borax decahydrate make it essential in industrial cleaning products, such as polishes, waxes, hard surface cleaners, and institutional cleaning compounds. Borax decahydrate is a:
pH buffering agent
Enzyme stabilizer
Emulsifier of oils, waxes, and paraffins
Gentle abrasive
Remover for medium-to-heavy soils—such as those encountered in industrial operations
Water softener
Alkaline booster
Borax decahydrate provides protective properties
Our borax decahydrate can also be used to:
Dissolve metal oxides in scrap metal recovery and slag smelting
Act as a cover flux to prevent oxidation at the surface of molten ingot
Exclude air and prevent oxidation in welding, brazing, and soldering
Slow corrosion in aqueous systems, water treatment chemicals, and automotive and engine coolant formulations
Neutralize acidic residue that results from ethylene glycol decomposition and minimize the rate of oxidation at the surface of metal
Technical Details
Among the sodium borates, borax decahydrate shows the greatest tendency to cake. However, it can be successfully shipped and handled in bulk if proper precautions are taken.
Borax decahydrate TG has a No. 8 U.S. sieve specification, with a mesh size of 2.36 mm and a retained guarantee of 0.1% or less. These specifications, as well as the product’s chemical properties, are determined by U.S. Borax analytical methods.
Dissolved in water, borax decahydrate hydrolyzes, producing a mildly alkaline solution that can neutralize acids. It also combines with strong alkalis to form compounds of lower pH. The relatively constant pH of borax decahydrate solutions makes it an excellent buffering agent.
Borax decahydrate is chemically stable under normal storage conditions, although it will slowly lose water of crystallization if exposed to a warm, dry atmosphere. For borax decahydrate EP, NF, and SP grades we recommend NOT storing in a controlled atmosphere below 60% of relative humidity. Conversely, exposure to a humid atmosphere can cause caking. When storing the product, avoid wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity and ensure that the packaging is not damaged.
The product’s solubility in water; solubility in solvents such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, methanol, and acetone; and the product’s pH as compared to that of common alkalis can be found in the product data sheet.
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