Abstract: Lignocellulosic-based composite products containing a pesticidal amount of calcium borate is resistant to attack by wood destroying fungi and insects. The preferred calcium borates are the calcium polytriborates having a CaO:B2O3 molar ratio of about 2:3 and calcium hexaborates, having a CaO:B2O3 ratio of 1:3. Composites can be produced by combining the calcium borate with particles of the lignocellulosic material and an adhesive resin, and forming the composite, generally with heat and pressure.

Abstract: Sequestrant compositions comprising combinations of an alkali metal or ammonium borate with an adduct formed by reaction of an .alpha., .beta. unsaturated polycarboxylic acid with a mono- or dicarboxylated sugar, in which the adduct has at least two hydroxy groups in a vicinal configuration. The sequestrants can be used to complex alkaline earth and transition metal ions and are especially useful for complexing calcium and magnesium in aqueous laundry solutions. They also are effective for soil dispersion and for inhibiting the deposition of soil on fabric.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for producing crystalline calcium hexaborate tetrahydrate, synthetic nobleite, by the reaction of boric acid and lime in an aqueous slurry. Reaction conditions include boric acid to water molar ratios of greater than 0.25:1, lime to boric acid molar ratios in the range of 0.05-0.15:1 and temperatures in the range of 60.degree.-85.degree. C. A concentration of at least 25% by weight undissolved solids is in the aqueous product slurry.

Abstract: Sequestrant compositions comprising combinations of an alkali metal or ammonium borate with an adduct formed by reaction of an .alpha., .beta. unsaturated polycarboxylic acid with a mono- or dicarboxylated sugar, in which the adduct has at least two hydroxy groups in a vicinal configuration. The sequestrants can be used to complex alkaline earth and transition metal ions and are especially useful for complexing calcium and magnesium in aqueous laundry solutions. They also are effective for soil dispersion and for inhibiting the deposition of soil on fabric.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for producing crystalline calcium hexaborate tetrahydrate, synthetic nobleite, by the reaction of boric acid and lime in an aqueous slurry. Reaction conditions include boric acid to water molar ratios of greater than 0.25:1, lime to boric acid molar ratios in the range of 0.05-0.15:1 and temperatures in the range of 85.degree.-105.degree. C. A novel crystalline product is produced having a unique crystal habit resulting in improved physical properties. Dehydration of this product produced a novel amorphous, anhydrous product having similar crystal habit and physical properties.

Abstract: Amorphous boric oxide-containing product having about 80 to 90% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 is produced by heating boric acid to an elevated temperature of about 180.degree. to 220.degree. C. to dehydrate the boric acid and form a molten glass which is cooled to a solid glassy product. The solid glass can be comminuted to produce a particulate product. Preferably the boric acid is heated at about 195.degree. to 205.degree. C. The process is readily adapted to a continuous process in which the boric acid is continuously fed through a heated reactor-mixer such as a Kneadermaster mixer or Discotherm mixer. The molten glassy product is cooled to form a solid glassy product which can be comminuted to a desirable particle size range.

Abstract: Lumber, plywood and other wood products are preserved from attack by fungi, termites and wood-destroying insects as well as fire and flame by treatment with a novel zirconium borate-containing preservative composition. The preservative can be formed by combination of a source of boron such as boric acid and the water-soluble salts thereof with a water-soluble zirconium salt. The ZrO.sub.2 :B.sub.2 O.sub.3 weight ratio in the preservative composition is in the range of from about 0.75:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: Zinc borate compositions having a ZnO:B.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio of 4:1. The hydrated zinc borate 4ZnO.B.sub.2 O.sub.3.H.sub.2 O and anhydrous zinc borate 4ZnO.B.sub.2 O.sub.3 are especially useful as fire-retardants and smoke-suppressant additives for polymeric compositions.

Abstract: Amorphous boric oxide-containing product having about 85 to 92% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 is produced by heating boric acid at an elevated temperature of up to about 275.degree. C. to dehydrate the boric acid and form a molten glass which is cooled to a solid glassy product. This solid glass can be comminuted to produce a particulate product. Preferably the boric acid is heated at 220.degree. to 275.degree. C., with about 250.degree. to 270.degree. C. being most preferred. The process is readily adapted to a continuous process in which the boric acid is placed on a moving continuous steel belt and conveyed through a heating zone. The molten glassy product is cooled to form a solid glassy product which is removed from the belt and comminuted to a desirable particle size range.

Abstract: Stable, concentrated aqueous persalt solutions are provided in which the stabilizing agent is a water-soluble carbazolesulfonate, diphenylamine sulfonate or N-phenylaminonaphthalene sulfonate. Preferred compositions contain sodium perborate, chelating agent, a solubilizing agent and an acid phosphate ester surfactant.

Abstract: Zinc borate compositions having a ZnO:B.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio of 4:1. The hydrated zinc borate 4ZnO.B.sub.2 O.sub.3.H.sub.2 O and anhydrous zinc borate 4ZnO.B.sub.2 O.sub.3 are especially useful as fire-retardants and smoke-suppressant additives for polymeric compositions.

Abstract: Stable, concentrated aqueous persalt solutions are provided in which the stabilizing agent is an arylazo compound, such as tartrazine, having an ortho-hydroxy substituent on the aryl group. Preferred compositions contain sodium perborate and a solubilizing agent as well as the azo stabilizer.

Abstract: A process for preparing granular water soluble alkali metal borate compositions by agitating a finely divided feedstock comprising a water soluble alkali metal borate and optionally boric acid, the molar ratio of alkali metal oxide to boric oxide in the feedstock being from about 0.1 to 0.5:1, optionally heating the agitated feedstock particles, contacting the agitated feedstock particles with an aqueous granulating agent to agglomerate feedstock particles, and recovering a granular borate composition having an average particle size of at least 250 micro meters. The resultant granulated product has a higher bulk density and better water dissolution rate than the feedstock particles.

Abstract: Clumping animal litter compositions comprising particulate attapulgite clay having a moisture content in the range of from about 10 to 23 percent free moisture and a particle size distribution of from about 8 to about 40 mesh, preferably about 10 to 30 mesh. Method of production includes selection of an attapulgite clay having an API yield value of at least 80 barrels per ton and, preferably, kneading and extruding the clay, milling and heating the clay to a temperature not exceeding about 250.degree. F. to reduce the moisture content to about 10 to 23 percent, and screening the product to a mesh size of about 8 to 40 mesh.

Abstract: Particles of a calcium borate mineral, such as colemanite or ulexite, are recovered from an ore by a froth flotation process using a dialkyl sulfosuccinate as collector. Suitable dialkyl sulfosuccinates include sodium or ammonium dinonyl sulfosuccinate, sodium or ammonium di-isodecyl sulfosuccinate, and sodium or ammonium dialauryl sulfosuccinate. The dialkyl sulfosuccinates may be used as aqueous solutions or as solutions in solvents consisting of water and methylated spirit, a dihydric alcohol such as ethylene glycol or hexylene glycol or a monohydric alcohol containing more than 5 carbons. Preferred collectors are the dinonyl sulfosuccinate salts, such as a compound of the formula, ##STR1## wherein X.sup.+ is a counterion.

Abstract: Stable, concentrated aqueous persalt solutions are provided in which the stabilizing agent is an arylazo compound having an ortho-hydroxy substituent on the aryl group. Preferred compositions contain sodium perborate and a solubilizing agent as well as the azo stabilizer.

Abstract: Glass compositions for use in the preparation of glass microspheres and having reduced 2 Pas (20 poise) temperatures comprise 38 to 44% SiO.sub.2, 14 to 22% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 9 to 16% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 22 to 26% CaO and optionally MgO, 0 to 8% Na.sub.2 O, 0 to 2% Li.sub.2 O, 0 to 2% K.sub.2 O and 0 to 1% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, the sum of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Na.sub.2 O being at least 19%, said percentage by weight.

Abstract: Aqueous boron-containing compositions containing about 40 to 85% of the reaction product of boric acid and alkylamine in a mole ratio of from 1.5:1 to 3:1, about 2 to 15% of an alkanol or alkylene glycol and the balance water. The compositions are useful as liquid fertilizer compositions, corrosion inhibitors and as pesticides.

Abstract: Aqueous boron-containing compositions containing about 40 to 85% of the reaction product of boric acid and alkylamine in a mole ratio of from 1.5:1 to 3:1, about 2 to 15% of an alkanol or alkylene glycol and the balance water. The compositions are useful as liquid fertilizer compositions, corrosion inhibitors and as pesticides.

Abstract: A preservative element, for timber or masonry in the form of a shaped element containing an organic boron compound, especially a boro-organic ester. Preferably the element also contains inorganic boron salts or acids, with or without the addition of other inorganic compounds having fungicidal and/or insecticidal properties.