Boric Acid Overview: Properties, Uses, Safety & Buying Guide
In this guide, we’ll explore boric acid’s chemical profile, key applications, safety considerations, and how to source it in the appropriate grade and purity.
Boric Acid Overview
Boric acid, also known as hydrogen borate or orthoboric acid, is a white crystalline compound with broad utility across industries. Commonly found in antiseptics, pest control products, fertilizers, and flame retardants, this weak acid is valued for its buffering, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties. But what exactly is boric acid, and why is it used in everything from skincare to semiconductor manufacturing?
Lab Alley supplies boric acid to consumers, laboratories, manufacturers, research institutions, and industrial operations nationwide. Our boric acid meets high standards of purity, making it suitable for diverse uses including household cleaning, pharmaceutical and medical formulations, industrial manufacturing, scientific research, and agriculture and pest control.We offer boric acid in convenient packaging sizes, with additional bulk quantities available upon request.To place an order or learn more about custom sizes and pricing, call Lab Alley at 512-668-9918.
Boric acid is a naturally occurring compound and a key derivative of boron, used across a wide range of industries for its gentle yet effective chemical properties. This section provides a quick-reference summary of its most essential identifiers, including its chemical formula, molecular weight, and physical characteristics.
Key Facts About Boric Acid:
- Synonyms: Hydrogen borate, orthoboric acid, acidum boricum
- Chemical Formula: H₃BO₃
- CAS Number: 10043-35-3
- Molar Mass: 61.83 g/mol
- Appearance: White, crystalline powder or granules
Lab Alley’s boric acid products are formulated to meet stringent quality and purity standards, making them suitable for a wide range of applications including household cleaning, laboratory research, eye care & skin products, insecticides & fungicides, and more. Boric acid’s clean appearance and low odor contribute to its appeal in formulations where visual clarity and chemical neutrality are important.
Boric Acid Properties:
Understanding boric acid’s chemical and physical properties is essential for selecting it for the right application. While it’s classified as a weak acid, it exhibits unique behavior that makes it useful in formulations, buffering systems, fire retardants, and more.
The bullet points below summarize boric acid’s primary characteristics, including solubility, melting point, pH behavior, and reactivity. These traits influence how it should be stored, handled, and applied across different industries.
- Physical State: Solid; white crystalline powder or flakes
- Melting Point: 170.9°C (decomposes to metaboric acid)
- Boiling Point: Not applicable; decomposes before boiling
- Solubility in Water: Soluble; ~47 g/L at 25°C
- pH (0.1 M solution): Approx. 5.1
- Reactivity: Reacts with strong bases and some metals to form borates
- Hygroscopicity: Mildly hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air)
- Stability: Stable under normal conditions; degrades when heated or exposed to strong bases
These properties make boric acid particularly suited for roles requiring low volatility, mild acidity, and consistent solubility, qualities that are difficult to replicate with other compounds.
Now we’ll explore the most common applications of boric acid, from household use to high-tech manufacturing.
Uses & Benefits
Boric acid’s versatility stems from its chemical stability, antimicrobial properties, and ability to act as a buffer, preservative, and flame retardant. It is used across a diverse range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, personal care, and electronics - each requiring different boric acid grades and purities.
In the pharmaceutical and medical sector, boric acid plays a vital role. It is used in eye drops and eyewashes as a soothing antiseptic for minor eye irritation. It appears in topical antiseptics, such as ointments and powders for treating skin infections and foot care. As a capsule preservative, it inhibits microbial growth in pharmaceutical formulations. Additionally, it is an essential component in ophthalmic solutions to maintain pH balance in sensitive medical applications.
In industrial manufacturing, boric acid enhances heat resistance and structural stability in glass and ceramics. It serves as a corrosion inhibitor and microbial control agent in metalworking fluids. It is incorporated into flame retardants used in insulation materials, fabrics, and plastics to reduce flammability. Furthermore, it supports lubricants and coolants by providing thermal stability and antifungal action in industrial settings.
For agriculture and pest control, boric acid functions as a micronutrient fertilizer, supplying essential boron to crops for healthy development. It is widely used in insecticides and baits targeting pests like ants, cockroaches, and termites, offering low toxicity to humans. Additionally, it acts as a fungicide to protect crops and stored grains from fungal threats.
Within consumer and household products, boric acid can be found in laundry and cleaning items, serving as a deodorizer, pH adjuster, and mild disinfectant. It is present in regulated amounts in eye care and skincare products for its antibacterial benefits. It is also commonly used in do-it-yourself pest control products, such as powders and traps.
In laboratory and research environments, boric acid is a critical component in buffer solutions used in titrations and biochemical reactions. It is employed as an analytical reagent for precise pH control in experimental processes. Moreover, it contributes to the synthesis of boron-based materials.
The specific type and purity of boric acid required for each application depend on regulatory standards, performance criteria, and safety considerations for the end user.
Lab Alley is proud to be a trusted supplier of high-quality boric acid for professionals, businesses, and consumers across all sectors, providing consistent purity, reliable performance, and fast, nationwide shipping. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Lab Alley ensures you have the boric acid you need - when and how you need it.
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Safety Information
While boric acid is generally considered low in toxicity, it still requires careful handling, especially in concentrated or industrial forms. Exposure risks include skin and eye irritation, respiratory discomfort from airborne dust, and potential reproductive toxicity with prolonged high-dose exposure. Proper safety measures ensure both personal protection and regulatory compliance.
Below is a summary of potential hazards and the recommended precautions for safe use:
Health Hazards
- Inhalation: May cause throat irritation, coughing, or discomfort in dusty conditions.
- Skin Contact: Prolonged contact can result in irritation or rash.
- Eye Contact: Dust or solution may cause redness, tearing, or stinging.
- Ingestion: Toxic in large quantities; may lead to nausea, vomiting, or organ damage.
Important: Long-term exposure to high levels of boric acid, especially in industrial settings, has been associated with reproductive and developmental risks. Always review the product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Lab handling or small quantities: Gloves, goggles, and dust masks if working with powders.
- Industrial bulk handling: Protective clothing, chemical-resistant gloves, full-face protection if dust is present.
Spill, Storage & Disposal Guidelines
- Spill response: Sweep up dry spills gently to avoid dust; use HEPA vacuums for fine material
- Storage: Keep in sealed containers, away from moisture and incompatible chemicals.
- Disposal: Follow local environmental guidelines; neutralize small quantities when appropriate
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