Erika Pangan

STEM 12-A

Borax(sodium borate) as a viable flame retardant in wood based houses

Borax

Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron

compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. Powdered borax is white, consisting of soft colorless

crystals that dissolve in water. A number of closely related minerals or chemical compounds that differ in

their crystal water content are referred to as borax, but the word is usually used to refer to the

octahydrate. Commercially sold borax is partially dehydrated.Thomas, M. J. K. (2011).

Moreover, Zenat A Nagieb,et al(2013)borax(sodium borate) which were incorporated with saw dust

fibers to manufacture experimental panels. Three concentration levels, (0.5, 1, and 5%) of fire retardants

and 10% urea formaldehyde resin based on oven dry fiber weight were used to manufacture

experimental panels. Physical and mechanical properties including water absorption, modulus of rupture

(MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were determined. The results showed that water absorption and

bending strength decreased as the flame retardant increased. The highest concentration of (BA + BX)

enhanced the fire retardant more than the lower ones. Scanning electron microscope and FTIR of

composite panels were studied.

According to Susan L LeVan, Hao C Tran(2009)Boron compounds can also form glassy fiis that may inhibit

mass transfer of combustible vapors. This paper discusses the role of boron in providing flame

retardancy to wood. Different loading levels of borax-boric acid, ranging from O to 20 percent add-on by

weight, were applied to Southern Pine. TWO types of fire tests were used to evaluate flame retardancy.
Clearwood and plywood specimens were tested in the fire tube test and in a heat release rate

calorimeter, respectively.

Furthermore,Mathew Day, DM Wiles (2015)the influence of borax and boric acid on the resistance of

cellulose insulation to smouldering and flaming combustion has been examined using material treated

by a wet application process. Boric acid has been shown to be required at an add-on level of at least 11.6

parts to 100 parts (by weight) of cellulose if resistance to smouldering combustion by cigarette ignition is

to be achieved. In order to increase the resistance of the material to flaming combustion, however, it has

been shown that borax is required in the formulation. Moreover, in order to maintain the resis tance to

smouldering combustion it has been found necessary subsequently to increase the add-on of boric acid.

Flame Retardant

Vasanth K Bhat(2010) stated that an organic composition for use as a fire-and flame-retardant additive to

cellulose fiber thermal insulation, consisting essentially of 10 to 25 parts by weight of alumina trihydrate,

20 to 35 parts by weight of ammonium sulfate, 20 to 35 parts by weight of borax, 10 to 20 parts by

weight of boric acid, up to 25 parts by weight of nepheline syenite, and up to 2 parts by weight of soda

ash.

Moreover,on-durable and semi-durable flame retardants based mostly on phosphate or phosphonate

salts continue to be used on infrequently washed or disposable goods, and recent improvements have

been made to impart better `hand' or some limited wash resistance. Backcoating with insoluble

ammonium polyphosphate, usually with additives and binders to provide intumescence, has been found

effective on charrable fabrics.Edward D Weil, Sergei V Levchik(2009).

Ondrej Grexa,et al (2014)stated that the flame retardant treated and untreated plywood samples were

prepared with the aim to investigate the effect of the way of treatment and flame retardant used on
flammability parameters. As flame retardants magnesium hydroxide, polyphosphate and diammonium

hydrogen phosphate were used. The magnesium hydroxide and polyphosphate were incorporated into

the glue mixture, in various amounts. The diammonium hydrogen phosphate was used for impregnation

of wood veneers.

A flame retardant composition and associated method for treating wood and other cellulosic materials is

disclosed. The composition, in its preferred embodiment, represents and aqueous solution containing a

water soluble amide; an oxy-acid of phosphorous; a metal salt of boron; an oxy-acid of boron and

sodium hydroxide and has a pH of about 4.75 to about 5.25.James F Herndon, Dennis J Morgan(2012).

Furthermore,James E Rock(2009)stated that this invention is a fire retardant compound and the method

for preparing the same. The combined fire retardant properties of the final composition are greater than

the fire retardant properties of the individual ingredients. When formulated and treated in accordance

with the present invention, wood products such as paneling and flooring, fabric products such as cotton,

wool and rayon and the like which are normally flammable are for all practical purposes noncombustible.

Not only are the flame retardant properties of the present invention highly unusual but also the smoke

inhibiting factor in each case is extremely low and way below that which would normally be anticipated.

Similarly George Christianson,et al (2016) A method of preparing fire retardant cellulosic fiber insulation

which includes the steps of reacting borax with a source of hydrogen ions such as sulfuric acid or various

other acids or acid salts in an amount sufficient to convert at least about 20% of the borax into boric acid

and a sodium salt and then mixing the resulting composition with a cellulosic fiber base.

According to Duncan C Thompson(2010)Fire retardation and wood preservation compositions having

inorganic salts encapsulated by a water-based acrylic resin solution. The salts are carried by water into

the wood or cellulose product to be treated. After the water evaporates, the inorganic salts are retained
in the treated wood and not leached from or washed out of the wood product. The component

compounds of the compositions are mixed in specific sequences to avoid coagulation of the mixture.

Edward D Weil,(2011)stated that this review covers mainly intumescent coatings, with briefer discussions

of non-intumescent organic fire-resistive coatings and cementitious inorganic coatings. Emphasis is

placed on the more recent developments, and the more recent patent literature is surveyed. Modeling

and optimizing are covered both from basic and applied aspects. The chemistry of the production of a

foamed char barrier is discussed. Enhancing the performance by adjuvants and choice of binders is

shown to be possible. The important interactions of ammonium polyphosphate with other components

such as titanium dioxide are described. Testing is briefly discussed, as are some shortcomings of present-

day coatings, such as limited water resistance, and some opportunities for improvement.

Eli Pearce(2012)Flammability has been recognized as an increasingly important social and scientific

problem. Fire statistics in the United States (Report of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and

Control." America Burning:'1973) emphasized the vast devastation to life and property--12.000 lives lost

annually due to fire. and these deaths are usually caused by inhaling smoke or toxic gases: 300.000 fire

injuries: 11.4 billion dollars in fire cost at which 2.7 billion dollars is related to property loss: a billion

dollars to burn injury treatment: and 3.3 billion dollars in productivity loss. It is obvious that much

human and economic misery can be attributed to fire situations. In relation to this. polymer flammability

has been recognized as an in creasingly important social and scientific problem.

Wood

According to John Wood(2019) woods provides performance-driven solutions throughout the asset life

cycle, from concept to decommissioning across a broad range of industrial markets, including the

upstream, midstream and downstream oil & gas, power & process, environment and infrastructure,

clean energy, mining, nuclear, and general industrial sectors.

Furthermore, George Thomas Tsoumis(2019)Wood, the principal strengthening and nutrient-conducting

tissue of trees and other plants and one of the most abundant and versatile natural materials. Produced

by many botanical species, including both gymnosperms and angiosperms, wood is available in various

colours and grain patterns. It is strong in relation to its weight, is insulating to heat and electricity, and

has desirable acoustic properties.

According to Chris Woodford(2018)there is plenty of it, it is relatively cheap (or even free),

environmentally friendly,looks great, warm and cozy, super-strong, it lasts hundreds or even thousands

of years, and can use it for everything from building bridges to making paper or heating home. Wood

and it is quite possibly the most useful and versatile material , with many thousands of different uses.

All this studies and literature is to find out the deeper information and knowledge about Borax(sodium

borate) as a viable flame retardant in wood based houses.

Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron

compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid.Thomas, M. J. K. (2011). On the other hand Zenat A

Nagieb,et al(2013)borax(sodium borate) which were incorporated with saw dust fibers to manufacture

experimental panels.Susan L LeVan, Hao C Tran(2009)Boron compounds can also form glassy fiis that

may inhibit mass transfer of combustible vapors.Mathew Day, DM Wiles (2015),Vasanth K

Bhat(2010),Edward D Weil, Sergei V Levchik(2009).Ondrej Grexa,et al (2014),James F Herndon, Dennis J

Morgan(2012).Furthermore,James E Rock(2009)stated that this invention is a fire retardant compound

and the method for preparing the same,George Christianson,et al (2016).Duncan C Thompson(2010)Fire

retardation and wood preservation compositions having inorganic salts encapsulated by a water-based

acrylic resin solution,Edward D Weil (2011),Eli Pearce(2012). On the other hand George Thomas

Tsoumis(2019)Wood, the principal strengthening and nutrient-conducting tissue of trees and other

plants and one of the most abundant and versatile natural materials,Chris Woodford(2018).