Is “borax” alone sufficient to calculate boron contribution?

Hydrate form changes boron per unit of product. Accompanying sodium also enters the formulation, so a borax tonne price cannot be compared directly with boric acid.

Calculate sodium at equal boron delivery

Request hydrate form and elemental boron on the label and COA. Compare candidates at equal boron, list sodium separately and test dissolution at the intended stock concentration and temperature.

What should we compare if sodium is restricted?

Compare sodium load, pH and compatibility with other acceptable boron sources at equal boron contribution. Boron fertilizers: Balance the actual boron and sodium contents, then check stock solution pH in the target water. Hydrate selection: At the same temperature, compare active boron input and dissolution time for pentahydrate and decahydrate grades.

Checking Elemental boron and Hydration state

Elemental boron (% by mass): Specify B or B₂O₃ on an as-received basis and check the measured value for the actual batch separately. Hydration state (Identity and moisture (%)): Specify the precise hydrate and analytical basis. Apply limits for the relevant salt form only. Sodium content (% by mass): Calculate as elemental Na only. Use the supplier’s analytical method to check other sodium contributions.

What to record

  • Hydrate form
  • Elemental boron
  • Elemental sodium
  • Cost at equal boron
  • Stock temperature

Technical references

Products and processes

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