[Jewelry making - Article 00009] - Re: [Orchid] Twenty MuleTeam Borax

[James Binnion]

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http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive/200409/msg01088.htm

>        Lets ask ourselves if these are really the same thing by
>     finding the makeup of chemical compounds: 

    Well I am not sure who brought Boric Acid into the conversation but
    they both do the same thing for the metalsmith that is they dissolve
    metal oxides and convert them into soluble metaborates. Both form a
    viscous covering on the metal that inhibits further oxidation from
    taking place. They both break down upon heating into boron trioxide
    B2O3 which reacts with metallic oxides and converts them into
    metaborates. The biggest difference for us is that borax melts into
    a fluid form at 700 C while Boric Acid starts to fuse into a fibrous
    matt at 577 C it will not convert into a fluid form and start
    dissolving oxides below 900 C. So borax is much more useful at lower
    temperatures for dissolving oxides. 

Jim Binnion

James Binnion Metal Arts
Phone (360) 756-6550
Toll Free (877) 408 7287
Fax (360) 756-2160
http://www.mokume-gane.com
jbin AT mokume-gane.com
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