Apart from trusting the label on the packet, how do I identify genuine from substitute ?
Try making slime with it. If it works, you've got real borax (or at least a boron-based compound, so usually borax). It won't work with sodium sesquicarbonate.
Genuine Borax is a bit difficult to source by amateurs in Great Britain.
There is plenty of Substitute Borax available but it's no use for developers.
Apart from trusting the label on the packet, how do I identify genuine from substitute ?
For those of us that don't know how to. How do you make slime?
Thanks
Try making slime with it. If it works, you've got real borax (or at least a boron-based compound, so usually borax). It won't work with sodium sesquicarbonate.
Are you sure?
Well, I'm pretty sure the sesquicarbonate won't make slime. Apparently people tried it and it didn't work: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ask/questions/Tx1TKCD5286J7B5/ref=ask_ql_ql_al_hza
Alternatively, turn some of the supposed borax into boric acid and use it to color a flame green; with sesquicarbonate, there won't be any green.
it would be cheaper to buy fresh borax from a photochemical supplier.
Genuine Borax is a bit difficult to source by amateurs in Great Britain.
There is plenty of Substitute Borax available but it's no use for developers.
Apart from trusting the label on the packet, how do I identify genuine from substitute ?
Thanks That clears matter up I have just looked up some Borax stockists and based on those prices what Nik and Trick want for 200g is pretty outrageous at over £19Sodium sesquicarbonate is NOT a drop-in substitute for borax in photographic developers.
Sesquicarbonate should work as an activator, but since it essentially forms a equimolar carbonate-bicarbonate buffer, the pH (on its own, without other acids or bases present) will be around 9.95. A typical borax buffer will be around 8.5 and e.g. in XTOL it's set to 8.2. This means if you were to substitute sodium sesquicarbonate for borax in a developer, you will most likely end up with a vastly more active developer. This means your film will come out overcooked, you have to re-determine correct development times and the end result may be different (e.g. grainier) as you're essentially working with a different developer than intended.
A carbonate/bicarbonate buffer cannot be set to the pH range for which borax is typically used since the entire useful buffer range of carbonate/bicarbonate is above the upper useful limit of the borate/boric acid buffer range.
Borax continues to be sold as it's a generic chemical; the main restrictions we're currently seeing is it being replaced by alternatives in household applications for fear of the health implications associated with borax (which are debatable, btw). Any retailer specializing in chemistry, especially photochemistry, will be able to sell it. AFAIK there is no legislation in place or in preparation that bars consumers from purchasing borax. The replacement of borax seems to be aimed mostly at limiting/preventing non-intentional exposure by the unassuming public.
The issue is the EU are trying to ban the use of Borax and Borates.
Ian
The issue is the EU are trying to ban the use of Borax and Borates.
Ian
The issue is the EU are trying to ban the use of Borax and Borates.
Ian
Unless all the makers of Borax are in the EU, does this matter now for the U.K since we are not in the U.K. any longer?
pentaxuser
Is that why it's becoming difficult to buy D76 and ID11? If so, other products will be affected too.
There are a number of UK sellers at good prices 500g for £10.62
However that seller say: Restricted to Professional Users – A declaration of use will need to be completed and approved prior to shipment of any order placed
Ian
The issue is the EU are trying to ban the use of Borax and Borates.
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