Multi-function cleaning and flame protection
Polybor® is effective at reducing flammability, inhibiting corrosion, and enhancing cleaning products. It is highly soluble and can be used to help protect cellulosic materials—including those used in insulation, mattresses, and fabrics—from combustion and flammability.
How can Polybor help you?
Polybor offers benefits across processes and enhances products we use every day
Polybor for fire retardancy
Polybor is particularly effective as a fire retardant in cellulosic materials such as wood composites, cellulose insulation, cotton batting, paper, and fabric. When these materials ignite, borates produce a charring action that suppresses smoldering and diverts decomposition products that can smolder and combust. Fire retardant lumber, plywood shingles, and shakes can be made by vacuum or pressure impregnation with Polybor solutions.
Polybor solutions can also be applied to fabric by direct spraying or dipping. In this way, the product can be used in fire retardant treatments for clothing, drapes or curtains, rugs, ironing board covers, firefighter clothing, fabric heat deflectors for stoves or fireplaces, and fire-smothering blankets. Solutions can also be used in the manufacture of fire-retarded paper products, such as high-gloss or file-storage boxes.
Polybor in aqueous and non-aqueous systems
Polybor can also be incorporated in aqueous and non-aqueous systems for corrosion inhibition, lubrication, or thermal oxidative stabilization. Corrosion inhibition makes it useful in the manufacture of water-treatment chemicals.
Polybor is ideal in cleaners
Polybor’s ability to aid emulsification of oils and to act as a soft abrasive makes it ideal for use in industrial cleaners. When combined with polyhydroxyl compounds, Polybor can be used for viscosity control. Add Polybor to formulations used to clean hard surfaces. The product is also used as an additive in hand cleaners, polishes, and waxes, and industrial/institutional cleaning compounds.
Technical details
Polybor is a mild alkaline salt. It takes the form of an amorphous fine white powder that is readily soluble even in cool water. When dissolved, the product results in a supersaturated solution with a high boron concentration.
When used in flame retardants for paper, the amount of material required can result in a stiffening effect. This effect can be overcome by the inclusion of a softening agent (eg, urea) in the treating solution.
Aqueous solutions of Polybor show a slight decrease in pH with increasing concentration. Saturated solutions are nearly neutral. Details of Polybor's hydrogen ion concentration can be found in the product data sheet.
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