Powdered and liquid boric acid comes from boron and is also called hydrogen borate. Hydrogen borate has many uses today. For example, as an ingredient, boron can make things resistant to fire. It makes an effective insecticide and antiseptic. It’s also an excellent ingredient for modern starch adhesives. Let’s look at some of these benefits and discover why liquid borates are the best solution for making starch-based adhesives.
Why Borates in Starch Adhesives?
Both powdered and liquid boric acid materials dissolve well in water. You don’t need additives just to mix them. When you add borates to starch glue, it increases its thickness or viscosity. This gives you a thicker adhesive that doesn’t run. It also helps the adhesive retain water, and when used with sodium hydroxide, the wet tack properties improve. It also affects starch glue’s gel point, making it a more effective adhesive.
Powder Vs Liquid
Many companies routinely use powdered borates to mix with their starch adhesive products. However, powdered borates can present a number of problems, and liquid borates are better for the following reasons:
Powders are bulky and hard to handle – you might have to order many bags of powdered borates, and this is time-consuming and hard work, opening each bag to add it to a mix.
Health concerns – by using powdered borate products, you release acid dust into the air. This can make it difficult to breathe and cause respiratory irritation. Also, acid dust can cause skin problems like itching and dermatitis. When you use liquid boric acid, you create a safer and healthier workplace.
Easier mixing – liquid borates mix easier than powders.
Viscosity – you receive more stable viscosity properties from your adhesives.
Stickiness – tack improves, and you can make glue that bonds better
Cleanliness – liquid borates are the cleaner option.
