Boron is a chemical element with symbol B and atomic number 5. Produced entirely by cosmic ray spallation. It is a low-abundance element in the Solar system and in the Earth's crust.Industrially, very pure boron is produced with difficulty because of refractory contamination by carbon.Several allotropes of boron exist: amorphous boron is a brown powder; crystalline boron is silvery to black.extremely hard , and a poor electrical conductor at room temperature.
The primary use of elemental boron is as boron filaments with applications similar to carbon fibers in some high-strength materials.About half of all boron consumed globally is an additive in fiberglass for insulation and structural materials.Boron as sodium perborate is used as a bleach. A small amount of boron is used as a dopant in semiconductors, and reagent intermediates in the synthesis of organic fine chemicals.
In biology, borates have low toxicity in mammals , but are more toxic to arthropods and are used as insecticides.Boron is an essential plant nutrient and boron compounds such as borax and boric acid are used as fertilizers in agriculture.It is only required in small amounts, with excess being toxic. Boron compounds play a strengthening role in the cell walls of all plants.
Source -Wikipedia
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