HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE USE OF BORATES IN ADHESIVES
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE USE OF BORATES IN ADHESIVES
Borates have been used in the adhesives industry since ancient times. Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, used natural resins and adhesives based on organic materials for various purposes, including mummification. There are assumptions that minerals rich in boron contributed to improving the adhesive properties and durability in these processes. Over the centuries, the use of borates has developed, and a major breakthrough was made during the Industrial Revolution, when starch adhesives with the addition of borates became indispensable in the production of cardboard packaging and furniture. This development significantly improved the quality and efficiency of mass industrial production, confirming the value of borates as an additive in adhesives.
Today, borates are still key ingredients in numerous adhesive formulations, especially in industries such as packaging, woodworking and construction. Their chemical properties allow for an increase in the viscosity of adhesives, which results in better adhesion and faster bonding of materials. In addition, borates contribute to increased moisture resistance, reduced formaldehyde emissions in wood-based adhesives, and improved product durability and stability.
Borates are widely used in the production of adhesives for cardboard packaging, including paper bags, boxes, and corrugated cardboard. In the woodworking industry, the addition of borates to urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde adhesives helps reduce harmful emissions without compromising the mechanical properties of the material. Also, in environmentally friendly soy protein-based adhesives, boric acid improves moisture resistance and bond strength.
In addition, borates are used in tile adhesives, where they function as thickeners, allowing manufacturers to obtain better texture and workability of the adhesives.
Borates are a key component in modern adhesive manufacturing, with a long history of application that confirms their effectiveness and reliability. Their unique chemical properties allow for significant improvements in the viscosity, adhesion and moisture resistance of adhesives, which is essential for a wide range of industrial sectors, including packaging, woodworking and construction.
At a time when the requirements for quality, safety and environmental sustainability are increasingly stringent, borates allow manufacturers to develop products that not only meet industry standards, but also contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions and extend the life of final products. This multifunctionality makes borates an indispensable ingredient in modern adhesive formulations.
Given the continuous innovation and growing market demands, the role of borates will remain crucial in the future for the development of new, technologically advanced and sustainable solutions in the field of adhesives and adhesive systems. Their ability to improve product performance, while ensuring environmental acceptability, positions borates as a key partner in improving industrial processes and product quality.
Source: https://www.borax.com/news-events/march-2019/borates-formulation-of-starch-based-adhesives; https://borates.today/borates-in-adhesives/
