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Chemical Datasheet

BORON OXIDE

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 1303-86-2
 none data unavailable none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Boron oxide
  • BORON OXIDE
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Colorless, semi-transparent glassy lumps or hard white odorless crystals. Mp 450°C; bp: 1860°C. Density: 2.46 g cm-3. Moderately soluble in water. Used as an insecticide; as the starting material for the synthesis of other boron compounds; as a fluxing agent in enamels and glasses; and in mixture with 2-6% boron nitride, as a bonding agent in the hot isostatic pressing of boron nitride ceramics.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.
Fire Hazard
No information available.
Health Hazard
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Boron oxide:

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; cough; conjunctivitis; skin erythema (skin redness)

Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system (NIOSH, 2024)
Reactivity Profile
BORON OXIDE is non-combustible. Of generally low chemical reactivity. Reacts exothermically but slowly with water to form boric acid, a weak acid. Reacts exothermically with strong bases. May react with strong reducing agents such as metal hydrides, metal alkyls to generate flammable or explosive gases. May react violently on contact with bromine pentafluoride. Corrosive to metals in the presence of air.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
No information available.
Firefighting
No information available.
Non-Fire Response
No information available.
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Boron oxide:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Boron oxide:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: WATER FLUSH PROMPTLY - If this chemical contacts the skin, flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly. If irritation persists after washing, get medical attention.

Breathing: FRESH AIR - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. Other measures are usually unnecessary.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2024)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • B2O3
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 842°F (NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Pressure: 0 mmHg (approx) (NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 2.46 (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 3380°F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)
Molecular Weight: 69.6 (NIOSH, 2024)
Water Solubility: 3 % (NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 13.50 eV (NIOSH, 2024)
IDLH: 2000 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Boron oxide (1303-86-2) 30 mg/m3 100 mg/m3 620 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names