Formula Ca3(BO3)2 Appearance bluish white crystal | Molar mass 237.852 g/mol | |
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Calcium borate (Ca3(BO3)2), also called Gerstley borate, is a bluish white crystal with a very defined structure. It can be prepared by reacting calcium metal with boric acid. The resulting precipitate is calcium borate. A hydrated form occurs naturally as the minerals colemanite, nobleite and priceite.
One of its uses is as a binder in some grades of hexagonal boron nitride for hot pressing. Other uses are e.g. flame retardant in epoxy molding compounds, a ceramic flux in some ceramic glazes, reactive self-sealing binders in hazardous waste management, additive for insect-resistant polystyrene, fertilizer, and production of boron glasses.
References
Calcium borate Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA