Borax, boric acid, and boron - From exotic to commodity

Since old times borax has been an important raw material used particularly in the metal and ceramic industries first for soldering and brazing, second as a flux to give certain glazes an appropriate fusibility. Here, we provide the historical background that led to the understanding of the nature and composition of boron compounds, isolation of the element, and establishment of a flourishing industry with an overall annual world output of more than 4.5 million tons of ore.