Borax Penta and Deca Purchase and Sale
Petro Alton Tajhiz Company, as one of the leading suppliers of detergent chemicals across Iran, provides various types of borax (penta and deca) with high quality and fast delivery in bulk quantities.
For purchase orders, up-to-date pricing, and to receive the product datasheet, please contact our experts at 021-59236.
What is Borax?
Sodium Tetraborate, commonly known as Borax (chemical formula: Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O), also referred to as Bura, Sodium Borate, Tetraborate Sodium, Disodium Tetraborate, Borax Decahydrate, or Borax Pentahydrate, is a key compound widely used — most famously as the main ingredient in slime production.
Sodium tetraborate exists in both anhydrous (dry) and hydrated (water-containing) forms. The hydrated form is further divided into pentahydrate and decahydrate, which differ in the number of water molecules in their crystal structures.
- Anhydrous Borax: Contains no water molecules.
- Hydrated Borax (Penta/Deca): Contains either 5 or 10 water molecules respectively.
Types of Borax
Borax is classified based on the number of water molecules in its crystalline structure:
- Borax Pentahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·5H₂O)
- Borax Decahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O)
Borax Decahydrate — with ten water molecules — is the most common and widely used type due to its excellent water solubility.
Borax Pentahydrate, containing five water molecules, is also used but has slightly different solubility characteristics.
Applications of Borax in Industries
- Agricultural Applications (Bura Insecticide)
- Enhances fruit growth in young apple trees.
- Absorbs excess moisture, preventing blossom and flower rot.
- Suitable for soil correction in boron-deficient soils.
- Used to eliminate beetles, ants, eggs, and larvae of other harmful insects.
- Applications in Detergent Products
- Boosts cleaning and whitening efficiency.
- Acts as a disinfectant and antifungal agent.
- Removes scale, stains, and dirt from ceramic surfaces.
- Used in laundry detergents and cleaning powders.
- Applications in Cosmetics and Personal Care
- Used in moisturizers, creams, shampoos, gels, lotions, scrubs, and bath salts.
- Functions as an emulsifier.
- Serves as a preservative to extend product shelf life.
- Applications in Water Treatment
- Softens water and eliminates odor.
- Regulates the pH of swimming pools.
- Replaces calcium and magnesium ions in hard water with sodium ions to reduce hardness.
Factors Affecting the Price of Borax Penta and Deca
The price of borax depends on several key factors:
- Product volume
- Type of borax compound (penta or deca)
- Purity percentage
- Exchange rate fluctuations
- Manufacturer and brand
Production and Preparation of Borax
Borax occurs naturally in mineral-rich soils and mountain deposits. It is also obtained from saline lakes and evaporated lake sediments.
Producers obtain borax through double crystallization of kernite solution in water, yielding high-purity sodium tetraborate.
Major Global Borax Producers
- Turkey is one of the most prominent borax-producing countries, known for its vast boron reserves.
Difference Between Borax and Boric Acid
Borax and boric acid are often confused, though they are distinct compounds derived from boron and classified as borates.
- Borax consists of sodium, oxygen, and boron.
- Boric acid (H₃BO₃) is produced by reacting borax with natural minerals like boracite and colemanite, or by adding hydrogen or other acids to borax.
In fact, boric acid cannot exist without borax, as it is derived from it.
Borax Substitutes
A suitable alternative to borax is Sodium Sesquicarbonate, which has a similar pH but dissolves better in cold water than sodium bicarbonate.
It is a crystalline blend of sodium carbonate (soda ash) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
Is Borax the Same as Baking Soda?
No, borax and baking soda are chemically different compounds.
Borax belongs to a group of sodium borate hydrates, while baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a different carbonate compound.
- Baking Soda: Commercialized in 1846, used in cooking and cleaning.
- Borax: Discovered in Death Valley in 1881 and marketed as 20 Mule Team Borax since 1891.
Hazards and Health Risks of Borax
Sodium tetraborate can be harmful if inhaled or ingested.
If exposed:
- Move immediately to fresh air.
- Wash skin thoroughly with plenty of water to prevent absorption.
- Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Possible health effects include:
- Skin and eye irritation
- Hormonal disruption
- Toxicity and nausea
- Vomiting and rashes
- Respiratory issues
- In severe cases, even death due to improper handling
Storage Conditions
Store borax in covered warehouses, away from moisture, direct sunlight, and heat sources.
Where to Buy Borax
You can purchase Borax Penta and Deca in bulk from reputable importers and chemical distributors such as Petro Alton Tajhiz Company.
