boron chemistry and research

What is boron?

Boron is a nonmetallic chemical element symbolized as B on the periodic table. It has the atomic number 5. It only occurs naturally in compounds called borate minerals—deposits of which are found in the Earth's crust. Boron is primarily used in chemical compounds including boric acid, borax, and boric oxide.

Is boron a liquid?

Boron is a solid and is classified as a metalloid element (has properties of both metals and non-metals). Elemental boron is never found free in nature. It occurs naturally in minerals that contain boron and oxygen.

What are boric acid's chemical properties?

Boric acid is found abundantly in nature, especially in volcanic areas, such as Italian hot springs. Boric acid’s chemical formula is H₃BO₃. It is a weak monobasic acid. It dissolves in boiling water and forms metaboric acid when heated to temperatures higher than 170°C. U.S. Borax sells boric acid under the brand name Optibor^®.

What are some other names for borax?

Borax is also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, and disodium tetraborate.

How can I acquire lab samples of U.S. Borax products?

Learn more about our sample request program for industrial product formulation and development. To request a U.S. Borax product sample, please fill out our sample request form. (A member of our sample fulfillment team may contact you for further clarification.)
 

I am an agronomist or agricultural consultant looking for information on the use of boron or borates for crop health. Can you help me?

Yes, we have a wealth of information on the agriculture uses of boron at: https://agriculture.borax.com. Please contact our global agriculture team members with your questions.