98% Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate CAS 12280-03-4

What is Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate?

The Chinese name for disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is usually " disodium octaborate tetrahydrate ," and it is also commonly referred to as "sodium octaborate tetrahydrate" or "disodium octaborate tetrahydrate." Its English abbreviation is often written as DOT.

It belongs to the borate system. The boron element in the molecule can participate in the functional processes of wood protection, flame retardancy of cellulose materials, and some industrial formulations; the sodium salt structure and water of crystallization affect its solubility, storage state, and preparation method.

1. Appearance and solubility

Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is normally a white coloured odourless solid powder or crystalline material. Available product safety data indicate that it is water soluble, but its specific solubility is dependent on temperature, concentration, particle size, purity and water quality.

It is usually formulated as an aqueous solution of a particular concentration for wood treatment, or for use in industrial formulations, and then applied by spraying, soaking, vacuum pressurisation, or by addition during the manufacturing process. The specific process should be designed according to the wood moisture content, penetration depth, drying conditions and target protection level.

2. Why is it able to protect wood?

Borates can penetrate wood or cellulose materials with moisture. Under suitable treatment conditions, boron can inhibit wood decay-related fungi, some wood pests, and other biodegradation processes.

The effectiveness of this type of protection depends on the concentration of the chemical agent, the type of wood, the depth of penetration, the ambient humidity, the presence of continuous water exposure, and subsequent sealing treatments. For wood exposed to rainwater or groundwater for extended periods, the use of water-soluble borates alone may not provide sufficiently durable protection; an evaluation combining structural design, surface sealing, and a suitable protective system is necessary.

3. Why can it be used for flame retardant research?

When borates are used in wood, particleboard, fiberboard and other cellulosic materials, they can participate in the formation of a protective char layer or alter the thermal decomposition process during heating, thereby affecting the material’s ignition, heat release, flame propagation and smoke performance.

II . What are the uses of industrial-grade Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate?

The value of industrial-grade disodium octaborate tetrahydrate comes primarily from its borate properties, water solubility, and high boron content. Depending on product specifications and regulatory approvals, it can be used in the following applications.

1. Wood preservation and wood protection

This is one of the most representative industrial uses of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate.

It can be used in protective systems for natural wood, sawn timber, plywood, engineered wood, and some wood-based composites to help reduce the risk of wood being damaged by decay fungi, wood borers, and some termites.

Common processing methods include:

● Aqueous solution spraying;

● Soaking treatment;

● Vacuum pressurization treatment;

● Internal additions during the wood production process;

● On-site maintenance and treatment of building timber components.

The effectiveness of wood protection is closely related to the concentration of the chemical solution, the depth of penetration, the moisture content of the wood, the end-face treatment, and the environment in which it is used. For continuous rain exposure, underground contact, or high-humidity environments, the migration and loss of borates need to be specifically assessed.

2. Protective products against wood pests and decay fungi.

Borates can interfere with the metabolic processes of some organisms, and therefore are used in formulation research or product registration for the protection of wood pests and fungi.

Its target objects may include:

● termite;

● Wood borers;

● Wood pests such as wood powder beetles;

● Some decaying fungi;

● Microorganisms associated with wood biodegradation.

Specific insecticides, fungicides, or preservatives must be registered and labeled in accordance with the pesticide, wood preservative, or biocide regulations of the target country or region. Industrial-grade raw materials are not equivalent to registered end-use pesticide products.

3. Flame retardants for cellulose materials

Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate can be used for flame retardant treatment or flame retardant formulation development of wood, particleboard, fiberboard, paper-based materials and other cellulosic materials.

During heating, borate systems may improve some combustion performance by promoting char formation, reducing the release of combustible volatiles, or altering the thermal decomposition behavior of materials. The actual effect needs to be verified based on the material type, addition method, adhesive system, moisture content, and testing standards.

Application areas include:

● Flame retardant treatment for wood;

● Flame retardant particleboard and fiberboard;

● Flame retardant systems for engineered timber;

● Research on flame retardancy of paper and cellulose materials;

● Research on borate compounding in polymers and coatings.

It should be noted that the final performance of flame retardants must be confirmed through relevant standard tests, and the amount of raw material added should not be directly equated with the fire resistance rating of building materials.

4. Industrial cleaning agents and detergent additives

Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate can be used as an ingredient in some industrial cleaning agents, detergents, or compounding agents, playing a role in alkaline buffering, cleaning aid, or formulation adjustment.

Possible application areas include:

● Industrial equipment cleaning;

● Processing and cleaning of timber and building materials;

● Professional maintenance and cleaning agents;

● Detergent additives;

● A cleaning system requiring borate buffering or a stable formulation is needed.

The specific effects depend on the formulation pH, type of surfactant, chelating agent, hard water conditions, and the object being cleaned. If used in food processing equipment, drinking water facilities, or products that come into contact with humans, it is also necessary to meet the relevant industry regulations and residue control requirements.

5. Production of water treatment chemicals

Some borate products can be used in the production or formulation development of water treatment chemicals. Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate has water solubility and borate buffering properties, making it suitable as a raw material or functional component in certain water treatment systems.

However, it is necessary to distinguish between "used in the production of water treatment chemicals" and "can be directly added to drinking water or natural water bodies". The latter involves strict water quality standards, dosage limits, ecological risks, and regulatory approvals, and its usability cannot be directly inferred from the name of an industrial-grade raw material.

6. Oil and gas and industrial fluid formulations

Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is listed in publicly available industrial product information as used in oil and gas production and industrial fluids. Specific applications include development of oilfield chemicals, industrial fluids or related auxiliary formulations.

In the oil and gas industry, when using it, comprehensive considerations are required:

● Wellbore temperature and pressure;

● Compatible with salt water and aqueous phase;

●Risk of corrosion and scaling;

● Equipment and pipeline materials;

● Waste liquid treatment and environmental discharge standards.

The different oilfield systems can be very different, and the applicability should be determined by laboratory evaluation, dynamic simulation and field tests.

As a general purpose fertiliser, it has to be formulated and applied according to the soil testing, crop needs and registered labels.

7. Formulation of coatings, adhesives and composite materials

Borates can be used in the development of some polymer, coating, adhesive and composite systems. Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate may be used in research and industrial formulations as a flame retardant, antibacterial, filler modifier or functional boron source.

Applicability depends on particle size, moisture content, dispersibility, resin compatibility, curing temperature, and final product performance. For epoxy, polyurethane, starch adhesives, and other adhesive systems, viscosity, curing, bond strength, and storage stability tests are required.

III . Summary

Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (CAS No 12280-03-4, chemical formula Na2B8O13·4H2O, molecular weight about 412.52) is a hydrated borate. Usually it is white powder or crystalline solid with good water solubility and borate functional properties.

Ordinary consumers generally do not have direct contact with this industrial-grade powder in their daily lives, but it may indirectly affect our lives through wood protection, building timber structures, wood-based panels, flame retardant treatments, professional cleaning agents and industrial maintenance products.

Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, industrial grade, is used primarily for wood preservation and insect control, flame retardant for cellulosic materials, industrial cleaning, production of water treatment chemicals, formulation of oil and gas and industrial fluids, development of coatings and composite materials, and, subject to local regulations, use in agricultural products related to boron nutrition.