It can be prepared by reacting calcium metal with boric acid.

The resulting precipitate is calcium borate.

A hydrated form occurs naturally as the minerals colemanite, nobleite and priceite.

[citation needed] One of its uses is as a binder in some grades of hexagonal boron nitride for hot pressing.

Other uses include flame retardant in epoxy molding compounds, a ceramic flux in some ceramic glazes, reactive self-sealing binders in hazardous waste management,[1] additive for insect-resistant polystyrene,[2] fertilizer, and production of boron glasses.