Abstract: Preservative composition for lignocellulosic-based composites providing rapid and long-lasting protection against insect and fungal attack, in both low and high moisture environments, through the use of a combination of higher solubility and lower solubility borates. Pesticidal amounts of a lower solubility borate and a higher solubility borate are combined before or during their incorporation into a lignocellulosic-based composite. Useful low solubility borates include copper borate, zinc borate and barium metaborate. Useful high solubility borates include boric acid, boric oxide, ammonium borate and alkali metal borates such as sodium borate. Some alkaline earth metal borates, including calcium borates, calcium magnesium borates, magnesium borates and calcium sodium borates, are of intermediate solubility and may be used effectively as either a low soluble or high soluble borate depending on the combination used.

Abstract: The addition of zinc borate alone or together with a hindered amine light stabilizer and ultra-violet light absorber to organic materials such as thermoplastic polyolefin resin, as is common in wood-plastic composites, provides a substantial reduction in the ultra-violet light degradation of the resin in comparison with similar materials made without zinc borate. This could provide substantial improvements in the long term durability of wood-plastic composites and other organic materials which are used in exterior environments and subject to ultra-violet exposure from the sun.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating wood products to provide leach-resistant protection against fungal decay, termites and other wood destroying organisms. The preservative compositions provided include ammonia-stabilized solutions of zinc and boron, preferably in a molar ratio of Zn:B of between about 0.4:1 and 5:1, and are essentially copper free. The preservative may be applied by vacuum and/or pressure treatment or dip treatment under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating products containing wood fibers to provide protection against wood destroying organisms and fire, and resistance against leaching of the preservative from the wood by water in exposed environments such as exterior applications. The methods involve applying to a substrate a first aqueous composition containing a boron compound, a source of zinc, and ammonia, followed by application of a second aqueous composition containing an alkali metal silicate. The compositions may be applied by vacuum and/or pressure treatment or dip treatment under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating products containing wood fibers to provide protection against wood destroying organisms and fire, and resistance against leaching of the preservative from the wood fibers by water in exposed environments such as exterior applications. The methods involve applying to a substrate an aqueous preservative composition containing a boron compound, a source of zinc, an aqueous silicate, a source of alkalinity, and an amino acid. The compositions may be applied by vacuum and/or pressure treatment or dip treatment under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Preservative composition for lignocellulosic-based composites providing rapid and long-lasting protection against insect and fungal attack, in both low and high moisture environments, through the use of a combination of higher solubility and lower solubility borates. Pesticidal amounts of a lower solubility borate and a higher solubility borate are combined before or during their incorporation into a lignocellulosic-based composite. Useful low solubility borates includes copper borate, zinc borate and barium metaborate. Useful high solubility borates includes boric acid, boric oxide, ammonium borate and alkali metal borates such as sodium borate. Some alkaline earth metal borates, including calcium borates, are of intermediate solubility and may be used effectively as either a low soluble or high soluble borate depending on the combination used.

Abstract: Lignocellulosic-based woodfiber-plastic 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 the thermoplastic resin binder, and heating and extruding the resultant mixture through a die to form the composite product.

Abstract: A family of borate compounds containing an isolated (finite) nonaborate anion with the structural formula [B9O12(OH)6]3?. Preferred amine nonaborate compounds have a resolved oxide formula of A2O.3B2O3.2H2O, where A is the monovalent cation of an amine salt, such as guanidinium and imidazolium. Also provided is a method for preparing these compounds by crystallization from an aqueous solution under mild conditions without the formation of significant amounts of by-products. These compounds have potential application as precursors for the production of advanced boron nitride ceramic materials, and as flame retardants, corrosion inhibitors, and biocides.

Abstract: Chemical species (e.g., metaborate, carbonate, hydroxide and sulfide) in a boron-containing alkaline wood pulping liquor sample are determined quantitatively by (i) subjecting a first aliquot portion of the sample to a primary acid titration analysis to derive multiple equivalence points at different respective pH values; (ii) subjecting a second aliquot portion of the sample to an analysis to determine the quantitative presence of boron or sulfide ions therein, and then (iii) determining the quantitative presence in the sample of at least one of the chemical species. Wood pulping parameters may thus be determined on the basis of the quantitative presence of the chemical species to assist in process and/or quality control of the wood pulping operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a leach-resistant borate preservative for lignocellulosic-based products, providing resistance against insect and fungal attack for use in exterior and ground contact applications. The preservative compositions of this invention may be provided as a high strength liquid concentrate, suitable for transportation, storage and easy on-site dilution, or as a ready-to-use treatment solution. These wood preservative compositions include a borate preservative component and a co-biocidal metal fixative such as copper or zinc. The preservative compositions also contain volatile organic acid, free ammonia and ammonium salts to aid dissolution. Methods for the application of these preservative compositions to wood are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for the use of borates in the recausticization of alkali-containing liquors such as those produced in the chemical and semi-chemical pulping of wood and in the oxidation and bleaching of wood pulp. Sodium hydroxide is regenerated from sodium carbonate-containing smelts in such pulp processes by autocausticization through the addition of limited amounts of borate. Autocausticization may be carried out at boron to carbonate molar ratios below 2:1 and at sodium to boron molar ratios exceeding 3:1, resulting in high reaction efficiency. Partial autocausticization using borate may also be combined with conventional lime recausticization for the regeneration of sodium hydroxide from sodium carbonate-containing smelts.

Abstract: Chemical species (e.g., metaborate, carbonate, hydroxide and sulfide) in a boron-containing alkaline wood pulping liquor sample are determined quantitatively by (i) subjecting a first aliquot portion of the sample to a primary acid titration analysis to derive multiple equivalence points at different respective pH values; (ii) subjecting a second aliquot portion of the sample to an analysis to determine the quantitative presence of boron or sulfide ions therein, and then (iii) determining the quantitative presence in the sample of at least one of the chemical species. Wood pulping parameters may thus be determined on the basis of the quantitative presence of the chemical species to assist in process and/or quality control of the wood pulping operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous boron-containing compositions and their preparation. In particular the invention provides self-structured aqueous sodium pentaborate gels. The gels according to the invention may be prepared by reacting boric acid or boric oxide and sodium tetraborate or metaborate in suspension in water and under mixing such that a self-structured sodium pentaborate gel is formed. The gels according to the invention are physically stable and are easily handled.

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: The invention relates to bleach catalysts for use in cleaning or detergent compositions. The bleach catalysts used are water-soluble complexes of (a) one or more cobalt ions and, as ligand, (b) one or more aminated and/or alkylated mono- or oligo-saccharides, optionally in reduced or oxidized form, and salts thereof. The complexes according to the invention are good bleach catalysts and have high hydrolytic stability.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving causticizing efficiency in the conventional lime recausticization portion of an alkaline pulping process. Such processes are commonly used in the pulping and bleaching of wood and non-wood cellulose fiber materials. The method of this invention comprises reacting an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate with lime to produce sodium hydroxide (causticization) in the presence of borate in order to improve the causticization reaction efficiency. Borate is added in an amount sufficient to provide a boron to sodium (B/Na) molar ratio in the range of between about 0.001:1 and 0.4:1, and preferably in the range of between about 0.01:1 and 0.3:1, which results in an increased causticization efficiency of up to 8% over the reaction efficiency obtained in the absence of borate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bleaching composition. In particular the invention provides a bleaching composition which comprises: (i) a bleaching agent, and (ii) as bleach catalyst, a polyoxometalate of Keggin, Dawson or Finke structure and having the general formula (II) (A′)a′(Cox′Yy′Mm′Oo).cH2O  (II)  wherein the or each A′, which may be the same or different, is a cation; a′ has a value such that (A′)a, counters the anionic charge of (Cox′Yy′Mm′Oo); x′ has a value of 0.25 to 4; the or each Y, which may be the same or different, represents P, Si or Co; y′ is 1 or 2; o has a value of 34 to 68; the or each M, which may be the same or different, represents W, Mo, V, Nb or Ta; m′ has a value of between 9 and 18; c has a value of between 0 and 84. The bleaching compositions according to the invention have good bleaching performance and can be used without a bleach activator, e.g.

Abstract: A method is provided for the use of borates in the recausticization of alkali-containing liquors such as those produced in the chemical and semi-chemical pulping of wood and in the oxidation and bleaching of wood pulp. Sodium hydroxide is regenerated from sodium carbonate-containing smelts in such pulp processes by autocausticization through the addition of limited amounts of borate. Autocausticization may be carried out at boron to carbonate molar ratios below 2:1 and at sodium to boron molar ratios exceeding 3:1, resulting in high reaction efficiency. Partial autocausticization using borate may also be combined with conventional lime recausticization for the regeneration of sodium hydroxide from sodium carbonate-containing smelts.

Abstract: A pourble aqueous borate-containing suspension which suspension in water contains 8 to 13% by weight boron as sodium pentaborate, 0.1 to 3% by weight of a swellable clay, and 0.05 to 0.2% by weight of a polysaccharide. The aqueous compositions according to the invention are physically stable, yet pourable and therefore readily handled. They may be used directly or, if appropriate, diluted for use. They may be used as a source of boron for crops or for other applications where there is a need for aqueous soluble borate suspensions.

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.