Sodium tetraborate (B₆O₁₂Na₆), commonly known as borax or sodium tetraborate decahydrate in its hydrated form, is an inorganic ceramic compound belonging to the borate family. It is a white crystalline solid traditionally used as a flux, glass former, and industrial chemical rather than as a structural ceramic. In engineering contexts, it appears primarily in glass and enamel formulations, detergents, metallurgical processing, and as a precursor for advanced borosilicate ceramics; modern research explores borate-based compounds for thermal insulation, bioactive ceramics, and specialized glass composites where borax acts as a network modifier to improve thermal stability and workability.
Compliance & Regulations
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bulk Modulus(K) | 8,373.5 | ksi | — | ||
Shear Modulus(G) | 3,469.3 | ksi | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Band Gap(Eg) | 4.487 | eV | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Formation Energy(ΔHf) | -2.431 | eV/atom | — |