Uses of Boron and Aluminium: Properties and Solved Examples

Boron and Aluminium are the elements present in Group 13 of the periodic table. Boron has the symbol B, and Aluminium has the symbol, Al. Their electronic configuration is of the type ns² np¹. Boron is a typical non-metal, also termed as a metalloid, while Aluminium is a metal bearing a few similar properties to that of boron. Boron is a very rare metal with an abundance of less than 0.0001% mass present in the Earth's crust. Aluminium, however, is the most abundant metal and the third most abundant element present in the Earth's crust. Aluminium has an abundance of almost 8.3% by mass after oxygen and silicon. Aluminium and Boron have noble gas cores which is evident from their electronic configuration. This difference in electronic configurations consequently changes their chemical and physical properties.

Key Takeaways: Boron, Aluminium, Group 13, Periodic table, Oxygen, Silicon, Earth’s crust, Metal, Metalloid, Non-metal, Noble gas

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Boron

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Boron is a group-13 element that is formed when oxygen merges with other natural elements. Boron has an electronic configuration which is [He]2s² 2p¹. It is a naturally occurring compound that is found on coal, sedimentary rocks, seas, and some specific soils. Boron is also formed when rocks containing boron weather themselves out. It is also found in the form of boric acid vapour from volcanic activities, and other geothermal activities. 

Boron

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Properties of Boron

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Boron is a metalloid residing in the p-block of the periodic table. Here are some physical as well as chemical properties of boron.

Physical Properties of Boron

• Boron is a non-metallic element in the p-block of the periodic table.
• Boron is the first element of group 13 and hence the group is also named "The Boron Family".
• Boron is a refractory solid with low density and low electrical conductivity.
• Boron is a hard and black coloured solid.
• Boron exists in many allotropic forms. It has two isotopic forms which are, 10B and 11B, the latter being more abundant. The isotope 11B is abundantly present in the Earth's crust by 81% and 10B is present by 19%. Boron exists in both solid as well as its powdered form.
• Boron has a solid and hard crystalline lattice, which results in its high melting point.

Chemical Properties of Boron

• Boron is unreactive in its crystalline form.
• Boron has a very small size due to which the sum of its first three ionization enthalpies is very high. This is the sole reason as to why boron mostly forms covalent bonds since it is not able to form +3 ions.
• Some boron-containing compounds such as boric acids and a few borates are soluble in water and also in other biological fluids like blood when it has low levels of concentration.

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Uses of Boron

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Boron is a very hard and refractory solid with low density, low thermal and electrical conductivity which makes boron a highly useful non-metal(metalloid)and houses itself in a wide range of applications. Boron is widely used in a number of purposes, some of which shall be listed below-

• The fibers of boron have a very high tensile strength owing to its necessity in making defensive shields or vests which are bullet-proof. Boron is also an extremely lightweight composite material which leads to its use in the making of aircraft.
• As mentioned earlier, 10B is 20% of natural boron and 11B is 80%. Therefore, 10B is used as a neutron absorber since it has a high cross-section for absorption of low-energy neutrons. These metal borides are highly useful in the nuclear industry as protective shields while carrying out nuclear reactions.
• The 10B isotope of boron is also used in the health industry in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), where metal borides with high isotopes of 10B are used to absorb neutrons which helps the patients who are suffering from brain tumors.
• The sturdiness of steel is also increased by the use of elemental boron in a very controlled and measured way.
• Due to the low electrical conductivity of boron, it is a good semiconductor and is used in several electronic gadgets.
• The compounds made from boron have a high energy/mass ratio due to which they are used as rocket fuel.
• The compounds of boron such as boric acid and borax are used in the manufacture of heat-resistant glass, glass wool and fiberglass. 
• Borax is also used as a flux in soldering metals, used in the manufacture of enamels and glazes for earthenwares i.e. borax is used to provide a stain-resistant coating to earthenwares such as tiles and pottery. It is also used as a constituent of medicinal soaps due to its antiseptic properties.
• The aqueous solution of orthoboric acid can also be used as a mild antiseptic instead of borax.
• Boron can replace expensive metals such as molybdenum, chromium, and tungsten with the manufacture of special hard steels.
• The several compounds of boron in the market are ulexite, boric acid, borax, colemanite, sodium perborate, borax pentahydrate, kernite, orthoboric acid, calcium borate, and boron hydrides in its white crystalline form. 

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Aluminium

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Aluminium is a silvery-white metal which is the most abundant metal found on the earth. It is the second element of the boron family. Aluminium is found in cryolite and bauxite, also known as aluminium silicates. Aluminium can be obtained after processing cryolite or bauxite. Aluminium is generally used in industrial surroundings, however, pure aluminium cannot be utilised commercially. The electronic configuration of aluminium is [Ne]3s² 3p¹.

Aluminium

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Properties of Aluminium

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Aluminium is a silvery-white soft metal that is in the p-block of the modern periodic table. Some physical and chemical properties of aluminium are as follows-

Physical Properties of Aluminium

• Aluminium is a soft metal with low melting point and high electrical conductivity.
• Aluminium is a highly electropositive atom, and therefore the first three ionisation enthalpies are comparatively lesser than that of boron which is why Al3+ exists.
• Aluminium is a non-ferrous metal and therefore, it forms a number of compounds along with other metals such as magnesium, manganese, silicon, and copper. These metals enhance their properties by forming an alloy with aluminium.

Chemical Properties of Aluminium

• The stability of +1 oxidation state is lesser in case of aluminium.
• Aluminium dissolves in aqueous alkalies and mineral acids which shows its amphoteric nature.
• Aluminium forms a thin oxide layer on the surface to protect itself from further attack when in contact with air.

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Uses of Aluminium

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Aluminium is a solid metal that has a shiny texture and has high electrical conductivity due to which aluminium is a very useful metal. Pure aluminium cannot be used since it is weak and malleable, commercial aluminium is used in several applications since it is made hard and sturdy. Below are some of the widely known applications of aluminium-

• Aluminium foils can be made easily and are thin plates of aluminium which can be used for food storage purposes. Aluminium foils are easily made since they are malleable. Aluminium is also used in the making of utensils due to its high heat-conducting capacity i.e. high thermal conductivity.
• Aluminium foils are used for wrapping things like photographic films and pharmaceutical products to prevent oxidation so they do not get damaged.
• Aluminium is used in the manufacturing of planes and various other automobiles since it is light in weight but quite sturdy.
• Aluminium is also used as coils in air-conditioners and solar conductors.
• Some important alloys of aluminium are aluminium bronze used to make coins, utensils, jewellery, photo frames; magnalium which is used in making light instruments, balance beams, and pressure cookers; and duralumin which is used to make automobile parts.
• Aluminium is used to make pipes, rods, and plates since it is corrosion resistant and strong.
• Commercial aluminium is also used in making shaping poles, tubes, pipes, wires, and foils.
• Aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)3 is widely used as an antacid for digestion.
• Aluminium powder is also used in flashlight bulbs for indoor photography.
• Aluminium powder is used as a reducing agent in aluminothermic processes for extraction of chromium and manganese from their respective ores.
• Anhydrous AlCl3 is used as a catalyst in a number of organic reactions like in Friedel – Crafts Reaction. It is also used in cracking of petroleum. Hydrated AlCl3 is used as a mordant in dyeing.
• Potash alum is used for purifying drinking water, as a styptic to stopping bleeding, in fire extinguishers, as mordant for dyeing, for tanning of leather, and sizing of papers.
• Aluminium is a good conductor of electricity and heat, which is why it is used to make transmission cables used in electric lines, and also for winding the moving coils of dynamos and motors.
• Aluminium is corrosion resistant and still cheap, so it is used to make household materials like utensils, tubes, trays etc. and also to make angles for doors and windows.
• Aluminium is also used for construction purposes like building bridges, wirings, and ladders.
• It is also of use in the transport industry for making engine blocks, body panels, and cylinder heads.
• Aluminium is also used for the protection of zinc and copper by coating it with a layer of aluminium mixed with linseed oil.

Note: The usage of aluminium in foils, utensils and other household products are slowly being reduced since it is toxic.

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Things to Remember 

• Boron and Aluminium are the elements present in Group 13 of the periodic table. Their electronic configuration is of the type ns² np¹. Boron is a metalloid, while Aluminium is a metal bearing a few similar properties to that of boron.

• Boron is a refractory solid with low density and low electrical conductivity, it has a hard crystalline lattice, which is the reason for its high melting point.
• Boron is unreactive in its crystalline form, has a very small size due to which the sum of its first three ionization enthalpies is very high. This is why boron mostly forms covalent bonds since it is not able to form +3 ions.
• The fibres of boron have a very high tensile strength and are used to make bullet-proof vests. Boron is also an extremely lightweight material used in the making of aircraft.
• Due to the low electrical conductivity of boron it is a good semiconductor and is used in several electronic gadgets.
• Aluminium is a silvery-white metal which is the most abundant metal found in the earth.
• Aluminium foils are used to wrap photographic films and pharmaceutical products.
• Aluminium is a soft metal with low melting point and high electrical conductivity.
• Aluminium hydroxide is used as an antacid for digestion.

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