Patent ID: 8623423

Claim:
A process which comprises adding a boron-containing material to a substrate, wherein the boron-containing material is a comminuted, heterogeneous boron-containing composition, which composition is obtainable by a process which comprises: (a) heating to a temperature sufficiently high that calcination occurs but insufficient for the formation of a homogeneous melt a mixture comprising components capable, under the conditions of heating, of forming the oxides B 2 O 3 and SiO 2 and optionally Al 2 O 3 , Na 2 O and/or CaO in proportions such that the relative percentages by weight of said oxides based on the total weight of said oxides, are as follows: 5 to 35% B 2 O 3 , 10 to 65% SiO 2 , 0 to 35% Al 2 O 3 , 0 to 20% Na 2 O, and 0 to 50% CaO; and then (b) comminuting the resulting composition, and wherein the substrate is flammable, with the boron-containing material being added as a flame retardant, or the substrate is susceptible to infestation by pests, with the boron-containing material being added as a pesticide, or the substrate is a heavy clay body, an agricultural product, a polymer or rubber, wood, including wood-plastics composites, an intumescent material, a paint or polymer coating, a soap or detergent, a cosmetic, an industrial fluid, water or gypsum wallboard; and wherein the substrate is not a steel slab.