These are the various ways in which I have used Boric Acid.
Always use caution and inform yourself prior to use especially when using as pest control.
Keep pets and others safe by following instructions and researching.
Boric Acid which I use in a flux mixture
laundry booster
eye wash
to get rid of cockroaches and other pests like ants [we live on a plot that used to be farmland so tons of ants]
is also used in nuclear reactors because it is a neutron absorber [aka neutron poison]
Neutron capture is a nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus and one or more neutrons collide and merge to form a heavier nucleus.
Since neutrons have no electric charge, they can enter a nucleus more easily than positively charged protons, which are repelled electrostatically.
Neutron capture plays a significant role in the cosmic nucleosynthesis of heavy elements. In stars it can proceed in two ways: as a rapid process (r-process) or a slow process (s-process).
Nuclei of masses greater than 56 cannot be formed by thermonuclear reactions (i.e., by nuclear fusion) but can be formed by neutron capture.
Neutron capture on protons yields a line at 2.223 MeV [Maximal extractable value] predicted and commonly observed in solar flares.
At small neutron flux, as in a nuclear reactor, a single neutron is captured by a nucleus. For example, when natural gold (197Au) is irradiated by neutrons (n), the isotope 198Au is formed in a highly excited state, and quickly decays to the ground state of 198Au by the emission of gamma rays (𝛾). In this process, the mass number increases by one. This is written as a formula in the form 197Au + n → 198Au + γ, or in short form 197Au(n,γ)198Au.
If thermal neutrons are used, the process is called thermal capture.
The isotope 198Au is a beta emitter that decays into the mercury isotope 198Hg. In this process, the atomic number rises by one.
Neither the beta particle nor its associated (anti-)neutrino exist within the nucleus prior to beta decay, but are created in the decay process. By this process, unstable atoms obtain a more stable ratio of protons to neutrons. The probability of a nuclide decaying due to beta and other forms of decay is determined by its nuclear binding energy. The binding energies of all existing nuclides form what is called the nuclear band or valley of stability. For either electron or positron emission to be energetically possible, the energy release (see below) or Q value must be positive.
Boric acid is used in pressurized water reactors (PWRs) as a soluble neutron absorber to control reactor reactivity. The 10B isotope of boron has a large cross-section (5-barn) and captures the neutrons that could otherwise contribute to the nuclear fission reaction.
From the International Nuclear Information System
International Atomic Energy Agency
https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/28/022/28022131.pdf
Using boric acid alone for brazing doesn't work as well.
If you use the formula you can pick up in certain stores called borax [laundry booster] that works better than boric acid alone.
Borax also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate.
a combination of boron, sodium, and oxygen.
Hot Max brazing flux however works the best when attempting to braze
brass
steel
iron
Bronze
Copper
Hot Max brazing flux is for
all types of steel, malleable and cast iron, galvanized metals, brass, and bronze
This flux is used for flame brazing with either an oxy-acetylene or electric carbon arc torch
Active Temperature Range: 1400 to 2200 F (760 to 1205 C)
Hot Max mixes boric acid with various other chemicals.
These are the melting temperatures of common metal types:
Aluminum: 660°C (1220°F)
Brass: 930°C (1710°F)
Aluminum Bronze: 1027-1038°C (1881-1900°F)
Chromium: 1860°C (3380°F)
Copper: 1084°C (1983°F)
Gold: 1063°C (1945°F)
Inconel: 1390-1425°C (2540-2600°F)
Cast Iron: 1204°C (2200°F)
Lead: 328°C (622°F)
Molybdenum: 2620°C (4748°F)
Nickel: 1453°C (2647°F)
Platinum: 1770°C (3218°F)
Silver: 961°C (1762°F)
Carbon Steel: 1425-1540°C (2597-2800°F)
Stainless Steel: 1375 – 1530°C (2500-2785°F)
Titanium: 1670°C (3038°F)
Tungsten: 3400°C (6152°F)
Zinc: 420°C (787°F)
Also used in brazing steel together
Harris Stay-Silv 6 brazing rod - a copper, phosphorous silver alloy
#Brazing, #BrazingSteel, #BoricAcid, #Borax, #NuclearReactors, #NeutronCapture, #NeutronAbsorber
Other interesting articles and possible connections