High-pressure behaviour of tincalcolite and hydroboracite

Tincalcolite (ideally (Na2B4O7•5H2O) and hydroboracite (ideally CaMgB6O8(OH)6 • 3 H2O) are two common species of hydrated borates found mainly in evaporitic sequences. Today, hydrated borates are the most valuable source of boron, a critical element for a number of industrial processes. Studying the behaviour at non-ambient conditions of hydrated borates is believed to be critical in order to better understand their thermodynamic properties and ultimately select the best candidate as aggregates in neutron-shielding concretes or Sorel cement.