Industry grade boric acid powder has a great effect on insecticidal and

wood preservation

►Origin of Boric acid

Boric acid, also called hydrogen borate, boracic acid, orthoboric acid and

acidum boricum, is a weak, monobasic Lewis acid of boron, which is often

used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant, neutron absorber, or

precursor to other chemical compounds. It has the chemical formula H3BO3

(sometimes written B(OH)3), and exists in the form of colorless crystals or a

white powder that dissolves in water. When occurring as a mineral, it is called

sassolite.

►Specification

►Preparation

Boric acid may be prepared by reacting borax (sodium tetraborate

decahydrate) with a mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid:

Na2B4O7·10H2O + 2 HCl → 4 B(OH)3 [or H3BO3] + 2 NaCl + 5 H2O

It is also formed as a by product of hydrolysis of boron trihalides and

diborane

B2H6 + 6 H2O → 2 B(OH)3 + 6 H2

BX3 + 3 H2O → B(OH)3 + 3 HX (X = Cl, Br, I)

►Application

1. Insecticidal

Boric acid was first registered in the US as an insecticide in 1948 for

control of cockroaches, termites, fire ants, fleas, silverfish, and many other

insects. The product is generally considered to be safe to use in household

kitchens to control cockroaches and ants.It acts as a stomach poison

affecting the insects' metabolism, and the dry powder is abrasive to the

insects' exoskeletons. Boric acid also has the reputation as "the gift that

keeps on killing" in that roaches that cross over lightly dusted areas do not

die immediately, but that the effect is like shards of glass cutting them apart.

This often allows a roach to go back to the nest where it soon dies.

Cockroaches, being cannibalistic, eat others killed by contact or consumption

of boric acid, consuming the powder trapped in the dead roach and killing

them, too.

2. Preservation

In combination with its use as an insecticide, boric acid also prevents and

destroys existing wet and dry rot in timbers. It can be used in combination

with an ethylene glycol carrier to treat external wood against fungal and

insect attack. It is possible to buy borate-impregnated rods for insertion into

wood via drill holes where dampness and moisture is known to collect and

sit. It is available in a gel form and injectable paste form for treating rot

affected wood without the need to replace the timber. Concentrates of

borate-based treatments can be used to prevent slime, mycelium, and algae

growth, even in marine environments.

Boric acid is added to salt in the curing of cattle hides, calfskins, and

sheepskins. This helps to control bacterial development, and helps to control

insects.