Lithium metaborate

Lithium metaborate is one of the borates, a large family of salts (ionic compounds) with anions consisting of boron, oxygen, and hydrogen.

[2] Lithium metaborate forms glass relatively easily, and consists of approximately 40% tetrahedral borate anions, and 60% trigonal planar boron.

[3][4] Molten lithium metaborate, often mixed with lithium tetraborate Li2B4O7, is used to dissolve oxide samples for analysis by XRF, AAS, ICP-OES, ICP-AES, and ICP-MS,[5] modern versions of classical bead test.

The process may be used also to facilitate the dissolution of oxides in acids for wet analysis.

Most oxides are best dissolved in a mixture of the two lithium borate salts, for spectrochemical analysis.

NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroform Flammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. water Instability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no code
Fusion flux consisting of lithium metaborate and lithium teraborate, with a small amount of lithium bromide.