Borosilicate / specialty glass
Process Role:
B₂O₃ source; flux and thermal-property control
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
B₂O₃ content, Fe/colour impurities, hydrate form
TECHNICAL PROCUREMENT INTELLIGENCE
Borax Decahydrate
(Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate) Refined Borate Supply for Glass, Detergents, Metallurgy, Industrial Fluids and Formulation
Borax decahydrate is a refined sodium borate supplied as white crystalline material and used as a source of B₂O₃, a mild alkaline buffer and a fluxing/functional additive. The key procurement distinction is hydrate form: decahydrate, pentahydrate and anhydrous borax have different B₂O₃ content, bulk density and logistics economics and should not be treated as equivalent grades.
For GCC and MENA buyers, technical suitability should be confirmed before shipment. OGSCM can coordinate specification review, manufacturer documentation, packaging format, batch traceability, dangerous-goods requirements where applicable, cross-border logistics and receiving-site constraints. Product claims such as food grade, pharmaceutical grade, oilfield grade, REACH/FCC/USP compliance or OEM approval should only be used when documented for the actual offered grade.
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Chemistry, Manufacturing Route & Material Behaviour
Borax is a hydrated sodium tetraborate. The decahydrate and pentahydrate are different commercial products, while anhydrous borax contains no crystal water and therefore carries a much higher B₂O₃ fraction. On heating, borax decahydrate progressively dehydrates before formation of anhydrous/glassy borate material. This is why “melting point” values quoted without the hydrate context can be misleading for process design.
Process-Engineering & Grade-Selection Considerations
- For glass and ceramics, specify B₂O₃ and impurity limits (Fe, chloride, sulfate and insolubles where relevant) because colour and melt behaviour can be sensitive to contaminants.
- For detergents/cleaners, alkalinity, solubility, particle size and buffering performance matter alongside borate content.
- For metallurgy and flux service, hydrate form affects energy input and gas/water release during heating.
- For oilfield/industrial fluids, borates may act as buffers or crosslinkers in appropriate polymer systems; the exact borate chemistry and application must be specified.
- Regulatory status is important: borax decahydrate is classified in the EU as reproductive toxicant (H360FD). Industrial pages should not describe it as a benign “natural” chemical without this qualification.
◎ Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
Common name |
Borax decahydrate |
Formula |
Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O (also represented in hydrated borate structural notation) |
CAS |
1303-96-4 |
Molar mass |
381.37 g/mol |
Appearance |
White, free-flowing crystalline material |
Specific gravity |
≈1.71 |
B₂O₃ theoretical content |
≈36.51 wt% |
Water behaviour |
Soluble; forms mildly alkaline borate solutions |
Thermal behaviour |
Begins losing water of crystallisation on heating; do not treat 75°C as a simple stable melting point |
Transport |
Typically not regulated as dangerous goods; verify supplied SDS |
Values shown are reference/typical values, not a sales specification. Final acceptance must be based on the offered manufacturer grade, test method, COA and buyer specification.
Applications
Detergents / cleaning
Process Role:
Buffer, builder/booster, enzyme-stabilising support
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
Alkalinity, solubility, particle size
Metallurgy / fluxes
Process Role:
Dissolves metal oxides and supports fluxing
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
Hydrate form, particle size, impurity limits
Industrial fluids
Process Role:
Buffering / corrosion-inhibition support
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
Hydrate form, particle size, impurity limits
Adhesives
Process Role:
Starch/casein system modification
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
Reactivity, particle size, solution preparation
Oilfield formulations
Process Role:
Buffer/crosslinking-related borate chemistry in selected systems
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
Exact product and field formulation
Storage, Handling, Materials Compatibility & HSE
Store sealed in a dry area and avoid large temperature/humidity swings that can affect caking and crystal-water equilibrium. Prevent dust generation and use appropriate respiratory/eye protection where airborne particulate is possible. For EU/GCC supply chains, review the current SDS and local chemical-regulatory obligations, especially where reproductive-toxicity classification affects workplace controls.
HSE control principle
Use the current product-specific SDS, local dangerous-goods requirements, receiving-site risk assessment and applicable engineering standards. Website text should never substitute for a supplier SDS or site procedure.
RFQ Specification Checklist
- Decahydrate, pentahydrate or anhydrous borax
- Minimum B₂O₃ / borate assay
- Particle size and bulk-density needs
- Impurity limits for glass/ceramic use
- Application: glass, detergent, flux, adhesive, industrial fluid, etc.
- Packaging size, palletisation and moisture protection
- COA/SDS and destination regulatory documentation
Quality Control, COA Parameters & Test Methods
A technically meaningful RFQ should define the key quality parameters that control borax performance in the intended process. Typical COA requirements include B₂O₃, Na₂O/borate assay, iron (Fe), chloride, sulfate, insolubles, particle size, bulk density, and moisture/hydrate form.
B₂O₃ is typically measured by titration or a supplier method to verify functional boron content, while Na₂O/borate assay confirms product identity and composition. Iron is commonly measured by ICP/AAS or supplier methods because it can affect colour-sensitive applications. Chloride and sulfate are controlled by ion chromatography or titration for purity control, and insolubles are measured gravimetrically to verify glass and process cleanliness.
Physical properties are also important. Particle size is checked by sieve analysis because it influences dissolution and handling, while bulk density is measured by ASTM or supplier methods for storage and logistics. Moisture/hydrate form is typically assessed by LOI or theoretical balance to confirm grade identity.
Final test requirements should match the producer specification, customer standard, and intended application.
Why Choose OGSCM?
Application-Driven Solutions
We match the right grade to your process needs.
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On-time delivery with strong regional & global logistics.
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Strict quality control and batch consistency.
Expert Support
Technical & commercial support throughout your procurement journey.
Regional Presence
Serving industries across GCC and MENA with local expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They contain different amounts of crystal water and therefore different B₂O₃ concentration, bulk density and process economics.
Not in the way a stable anhydrous compound does. It loses water of crystallisation on heating; thermal behaviour must be described with the hydrate state.
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