Potassium Tetraborate

Analytical procedures

When dissolved in water, potassium tetraborate hydrolyzes to produce a mildly alkaline solution that can neutralize acids. For example, the pH of a 2% (wt.) solution of potassium tetraborate is 9.2. This value increases slightly with increasing concentrations and diminishes slightly with increasing temperatures. The relatively constant pH of potassium tetraborate solutions makes them excellent buffering agents, often recommended as primary standards in analytical procedures and used in detergents, eye drops, and other applications.

Metallic oxide solvent

Potassium tetraborate is also an excellent solvent for metallic oxides at high temperatures.

Metallurgy

The product is used to prepare special welding, soldering, and brazing fluxes of stainless steel or other non-ferrous metals, where it helps prevent the glare that is associated with sodium borate.

Gear lubrication

Dispersed in a very finely divided state, potassium tetraborate improves the load-carrying, inhibits corrosion, and antiwear properties of industrial and automotive gear lubricants. Under extreme conditions, it interacts with metal load-bearing surfaces to form a film of extraordinary resilience. This tenacious film provides outstanding load-carrying capacity and wear protection.

Nuclear safety

As a highly pure form that can generate higher concentrations of boron—a good absorber of thermal neutrons—than other refined borates can, potassium tetraborate is used for emergency shutdowns in nuclear-powered ships.

And, more

Like 20 Mule Team potassium pentaborate, potassium tetraborate can be used to create alight-sensitive composition (diazotype developer).