Ammonium Pentaborate

APPLICATION AND BENEFITS

Electrolytic capacitors

Special quality-grade ammonium pentaborate is used in the preparation of both wet and dry electrolytic capacitors. It is a component of electrolytes for developing a thin oxide film on aluminum foil when an electric current is applied, as well as for inserting into an aluminum container during the final assembly of capacitors. The purity of the boron-containing components (boric acid, borax, and ammonium pentaborate) is essential to the production of high-quality capacitors, so our refinement process makes this product ideal.

Metallic oxide solvent

Ammonium pentaborate is also an excellent solvent for metallic oxides at high temperatures. This capability makes it useful in the preparation of special welding, soldering, and brazing fluxes for stainless steel or non-ferrous metals, where alkali borates cannot be used. And, its stabilizing effect makes it a good choice for use in gunning and patching compounds, to extend the life of basic refractories in steel furnaces.

Flame retardant

One of this product’s most important uses is in the protection of cellulosic materials such as cotton, paper, rayon, and wood composites. By inhibiting oxidation, borates divert decomposition products from flaming and smoldering combustion toward the development of char. Spray ammonium pentaborate borate solutions on paper (or dip the paper into the solutions) to create a fire-retarded product or add ammonium pentaborate to other fire-retardant formulations.

In polymer applications, ammonium pentaborate can be used as an effective flame retardant in:

• Epoxy
• Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
• Urethane foam

Other applications

The product is also used in intumescent coatings for steel. In certain proprietary water treatment chemicals, ammonium pentaborate helps to inhibit corrosion, protecting ferrous metals against oxidation.