Industry Grade 99.99% Lithium Tetraborate CAS 12007-60-2

Product Overview

Lithium tetraborate (Li₂B₄O₇, also called di-lithium tetraborate or lithium borate) is an anhydrous lithium borate salt supplied as a white crystalline powder. It melts at 917 °C and is the industry-standard fluxing agent for fusion sample preparation in X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and related spectroscopic analysis, dissolving refractory oxides, silicates and ceramics that are difficult to bring into solution by other means.

Chemically, lithium tetraborate combines the low atomic number of lithium and boron with a moderate melting point and very low hygroscopicity. This makes it nearly transparent to light-element X-rays and practically free of background contamination — exactly what analytical laboratories need for reproducible, high-quality fusion beads. The same properties also make it valuable in specialty glass and ceramics,and crystalline materials.

A single salt, four core value propositions:

XRF & Spectroscopic Analysis:

● the standard fusion flux for XRF, ICP and AAS sample preparation of oxides, minerals, cements and ceramics;

Glass & Ceramics:

● a boron source and fluxing component for specialty glass, glazes, enamels and ceramic bodies;

Crystal & Electronic Materials:

● a piezoelectric and acousto-optic crystal material for SAW devices and optical applications.

Product Information (Quick Facts)

Chemical Structure & Grades

Lithium tetraborate is a defined anhydrous salt with the formula Li₂B₄O₇: two lithium cations balanced by a tetraborate anion built from BO₃ and BO₄ units. It is produced by high-temperature fusion of lithium carbonate with boric acid, followed by controlled cooling, crushing and sieving to a consistent particle size.

Key Features & Benefits

● Near-transparent to light-element X-rays: lithium and boron contribute almost no XRF background, giving clean spectra and low detection limits.

● Low hygroscopicity: anhydrous flux stays dry and free-flowing, protecting fusion bead quality in humid lab conditions.

● Strong dissolving power: fuses refractory oxides (Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃), silicates, cements and basic oxides (CaO, MgO) into homogeneous glass beads.

● Moderate melting point (917 °C): fast, energy-efficient fusion with conventional gas or electrical fusion machines.

● Consistent particle size and purity: every batch sieved and assayed, with COA documenting trace-element blanks.

● Tissue-equivalent and neutron-sensitive: the basis of its use in thermoluminescent dosimetry and thermal-neutron detection.

● Grade flexibility: 99.9% to 99.995% purity, custom particle size and packaging; compatible with common fusion-machine recipes.

● Low phosphorus and low trace contamination: a clean general-purpose flux for routine laboratory workflows.

Main Applications

1 XRF & Spectroscopic Analysis (Core Application)

Fusion with lithium tetraborate is the reference method for preparing homogeneous specimens from heterogeneous, refractory or difficult-to-dissolve materials:

● XRF fusion beads: melts cement, slag, ores, refractory bricks, glass and ceramics into uniform glass disks for quantitative analysis;

● ICP/AAS sample preparation: brings silicates and oxides into solution via a lithium borate fusion followed by acid dissolution;

● Trace-element analysis: high-purity grades keep blank levels low enough for ppm/ppb determinations;

● Calibration and reference materials: the flux of choice for producing synthetic standards and homogeneity studies.

2 Glass & Ceramics Industry

● Specialty glass: boron source in borosilicate and optical glass formulations;

● Glazes, enamels and frits: fluxing component that lowers melting temperature and improves surface quality;

● Ceramic bodies: sintering aid and mechanical-strength enhancer in technical ceramics.

3 Crystal & Electronic Materials

● SAW devices: piezoelectric lithium tetraborate crystals used as substrates for surface-acoustic-wave filters and sensors;

● Optical and acousto-optic components: transparent crystalline material for frequency control and optical modulation;

● Battery and energy materials research: a lithium–boron oxide reference for electrolyte and solid-state chemistry studies.

Packaging, Storage

Packaging (customizable):

● 25 kg fiber drum with PE liner (1 kg and 5 kg laboratory packs on request);

● 500 kg – 1,000 kg FIBC for bulk orders;

● Moisture-barrier lining available for high-purity flux grades.

Storage:

● Keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat;

● Keep containers tightly closed to preserve anhydrous quality;

● Avoid prolonged exposure to humid air and contact with strong acids;

● Recommended storage temperature 5 °C – 35 °C.

Why Choose Jinan Future Chemical Co., Ltd.?

● Factory-direct supply: own production capacity, transparent pricing, no middleman markup;

● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested, COA with every shipment;

● Export experience: familiar with sea/air shipping documentation for chemical commodities, complete paperwork support;

● Fast response: quotations and technical support (COA, fusion recipe advice) within 24 hours; small trial orders accepted.

FAQ

Q1: What is lithium tetraborate used for?

Its dominant use is as a fusion flux for XRF, ICP and AAS sample preparation, melting refractory oxides, silicates, cements and ceramics into homogeneous glass beads. It is also used in specialty glass and ceramics, thermoluminescent dosimetry and neutron detection, and as a piezoelectric crystal material for SAW devices.

Q2: What is the difference between lithium tetraborate and lithium metaborate?

Lithium tetraborate (Li₂B₄O₇) is the acid-melt flux, best suited to acidic oxides such as silica; lithium metaborate (LiBO₂) is the basic-melt flux, more aggressive toward basic oxides and refractory minerals. Laboratories routinely blend them (e.g. 12:66, 35:65 or 50:50 mixtures) to match the sample matrix, and both are supplied.

Q3: Why is lithium borate used for XRF fusion instead of other fluxes?

Lithium borates have a unique combination: low average atomic number (nearly transparent to light-element X-rays), low blank contamination at high purity, moderate melting point, low hygroscopicity, and strong ability to dissolve refractory and silicate materials into homogeneous glass beads. No other flux family matches this combination for quantitative XRF.

Q4: Is lithium tetraborate safe to handle?

Lithium tetraborate has low acute toxicity, but the fine powder may irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Use dust masks, gloves and goggles, and avoid generating airborne dust. It is an industrial/analytical chemical, not a food ingredient.