Although boron has a valence of 3 and its position in the periodic table would indicate a close relationship to aluminum, it is actually much more like carbon and silicon in chemical properties . Crystalline boron is similar to diamond in appearance and optical properties, and is almost as hard as diamond. Most extraordinary in their anomalous similarity to the compounds of silicon and carbon are the boron hydrides. Borax is used in cleaning compounds, glass and ceramics, fertilizers, paper and paints, and fire retardants. Boric acid is used medically for its astringent and antiseptic properties.
Boron carbide is used as an abrasive and alloy ing agent.
Boron has several important applications in the field of atomic energy. It is used in instruments designed to detect and count slow neutron s. Because of its high absorption of neutrons, it is employed as a control absorber in nuclear reactors and as a constituent material of neutron shields. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.