Controlled Rate Thermal Analysis of Hydrated Borates

Quasi-isothermal-isobaric analysis was applied as a main method for investigation of thermal decomposition of borates. The structural mechanism of the dehydration and dehydroxylation of selected borates is considered. It has been found that they consist of two independent stages: formation of gaseous water molecules localized into the structural framework and their release. The internal pressure of gaseous water molecules is the factor influencing the course of these processes. The strengths of the chemical bonds of the components and the freedom of their displacement also determine thermal stability of hydrated borates. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.