Abstract: The present invention relates to boron-containing compositions. The invention relates to comminuted, heterogeneous boron-containing compositions which are obtainable by a process which comprises heating to a temperature sufficiently high that calcination occurs but insufficient for the formation of a homogeneous melt a mixture comprising components capable, under the conditions of heating, of forming the oxides B2O3 and SiO2 and optionally Al2O3, Na2O and/or CaO in proportions such that the relative percentages by weight of the said oxides, based on the total weight of said oxides, are as follows: 5 to 35% B2O3; 10 to 65% SiO2; 0 to 35% Al2O3; and up to 20% Na2O and/or up to 50% CaO; with the proviso that the said B2O3 content is not 10 to 18%, when the other contents are as follows: 40 to 65% SiO2, 17 to 32% Al2O3 4 to 9% Na2O, and 0 to 10% CaO, and then comminuting the resulting composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fire resistant composition and a method of making fire resistant cellulosic materials comprising the fire resistant composition. More specifically, the invention relates to liquid compositions, including liquid compositions comprising urea and a boron -containing compound for imparting fire resistance to cellulosic products. The boron-containing compound typically comprises boric acids; borates (i.e., boric acid salts); boric oxides (i.e., any compound containing boron and oxygen), and mixtures thereof.

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: This invention relates to boron-containing compositions for use in glaze compositions. There is provided a boron-containing composition for use in glaze production, which composition is obtainable by a process which comprises heating to a temperature sufficiently high that calcination occurs but insufficient for the formation of a homogeneous melt a mixture comprising components capable, under the conditions of heating, of forming the oxides B2O3, SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O and optionally CaO in proportions such that the relative percentages by weight of the said oxides, based on the total weight of the said oxides, are as follows: 10 to 18% B2O3, 40 to 65% SiO2, 17 to 32% Al2O3, 4 to 9% Na2O, and 0 to 10% CaO. The boron-containing compositions according to the present invention may be used in glaze compositions, suitably frit-free or boron-free frit-containing glaze compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preventing and treating osteochondrosis and lameness by administration of supplemental boron containing compounds to animals and humans. The supplemental boron containing compounds are provided in animal feed compositions or as supplements for animal feed. Also provided by this invention are animal feed compositions that are supplemented with boron containing compounds and which have reduced phosphorus content. The invention also provides a method for decreasing the amount of phosphorus excreted by an animal, a method of increasing the efficiency of absorption of phosphorus by an animal, a method of reducing environmental phosphorus pollution by administering supplemental boron to the animal. The invention also provides a method of reducing pre-weaning mortality in an animal by feeding pregnant, nursing or lactating animals by administering supplemental boron containing compounds.

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: The invention provides compositions and methods for preventing and treating osteochondrosis, lameness, and leg weakness by administration of supplemental boron and vitamin C containing compounds to animals and humans. The supplemental boron and vitamin C containing compounds are provided in animal feed compositions or as supplements for animal feed. Also provided by this invention are animal feed compositions that are supplemented with boron and vitamin C containing compounds and which have reduced phosphorus content. The invention also provides a method for decreasing the amount of phosphorus excreted by an animal, a method of increasing the efficiency of absorption of phosphorus by an animal, a method of reducing environmental phosphorus pollution by administering supplemental boron and vitamin C to the animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preventing and treating osteochondrosis by administration of supplemental boron containing compounds to animals and humans. The supplemental boron containing compounds are provided in animal feed compositions or as supplements for animal feed. Also provided by this invention are animal feed compositions that are supplemented with boron containing compounds and which have reduced phosphorus content. The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing osteochondrosis in animals or humans by the administration of supplemental boron containing compounds. The invention also provides a method for decreasing the amount of phosphorus excreted by an animal, a method of increasing the efficiency of absorption of phosphorus by an animal, a method of reducing environmental phosphorus pollution by administering supplemental boron to the animal.

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: 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: 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: This invention relates to boron-containing compositions for use in glaze compositions. There is provided a boron-containing composition for use in glaze production, which composition is obtainable by a process which comprises heating to a temperature sufficiently high that calcination occurs but insufficient for the formation of a homogeneous melt a mixture comprising components capable, under the conditions of heating, of forming the oxides B2O3, SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O and optionally CaO in proportions such that the relative percentages by weight of the said oxides, based on the total weight of the said oxides, are as follows: 10 to 18% B2O3, 40 to 65% SiO2, 17 to 32% Al2O3, 4 to 9% Na2O, and 0 to 10% CaO. The boron-containing compositions according to the present invention may be used in glaze compositions, suitably frit-free or boron-free frit-containing glaze compositions.

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: Polymeric materials containing at least one continuous phase man-made polymer and at least one biodegradable component are protected against microbial attack through the use a combination of a boron-containing compound and an organic biocide. Methods and compositions for preparing treated polymeric materials are provided. A shaped article comprising a continuous phase man-made thermoplastic resin polymer, a biodegradable component, a boron-containing compound and an organic biocide is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the selective oxidation of organic compounds. According to the invention organic compounds are selectively oxidized using a peracid or a source of peracid, a transition metal based heterogeneous catalysts and a borate or boric acid in the presence of water. Using the process of the present invention, both excellent conversion and product selectivity maybe obtained.

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: 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.