I picked up a bottle of boric acid today after reading several posts where someone recomended it as a 'flux booster.

So I got to thinking....."Is this stuff safe to use in the forge?"

I did a little net surfing and came up with this link;

BORIC ACID

So what do you guys think? Is it safe?

its a chemical, and as with all chemicals common sense and care while using is recommended. Its sold to sprinkle around for control of Cockroaches.

Boric Acid is an active ingredient in Forney brand brazing flux and labeled as such with its own dedicated warning area of the can.

Superior - Anti-Borax #2 also has Boric Acid as active ingredient. The MSDS for this product

Boric acid is also used as an eye-wash ingredient. As a anti-roach material is is commonly used in kitchens.

Don't eat it, try not to breath it's fumes for long periods---just like you should not be breathing your forge fumes for long periods no matter what the fuel is, (save for an induction forge), and you should be fine. Remember what's in your slack tub (water) has killed millions of people and so is a highly dangereous substance!

I have been using Boric acid as an additive ( about 5 to 10%) to my borax and it seems to work better as a flux, Cheapest way for me is buying a can of Roach Proof ( 98% boric acid) also as Thomas stated, beware of Di Hydrogen Monoxide, it has killed countless people over the years..

I'm new to the forum. Nice post.

Edited April 2, 200917 yr by FafgainiaTind

.............. beware of Di Hydrogen Monoxide, it has killed countless people over the years..

by inhalation ? :D

Yes that's the primary method of causing death for dihydrogen monoxide. You read of cases every week in the news.

Yes that's the primary method of causing death for dihydrogen monoxide. You read of cases every week in the news.

i worried about it alot around the shop when the kids were little.