Definition
A weak, white crystalline acid (chemical formula H3BO3) used in aviation primarily as a desiccant treatment inside the cells of nickel-cadmium (ni-cad) batteries to neutralize potassium hydroxide electrolyte spillage and prevent corrosion of surrounding battery hardware.
Plain English
A mild powdered acid used in aircraft maintenance to soak up and neutralize the harsh chemical leaks that can come out of certain aircraft batteries, stopping them from eating through nearby metal.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft battery servicing and cleanup procedures for nickel-cadmium battery spills.
Derivation
From 'borax,' the mineral from which the acid was first isolated. The name traces back through Latin and Arabic to a Persian word for the mineral. Knowing the link to borax helps because borax and boric acid are chemically related and both show up in cleaning and neutralizing roles.
Why Pilots Care
Aircraft cabin materials must meet strict fire safety rules, and boric acid helps those materials pass certification tests.
Intuition Check
Do not assume acid always means the spill itself is acid. Here, boric acid is the material used to neutralize an alkaline battery chemical.
Example Sentence 1
During the ni-cad battery overhaul, the technician applied boric acid paste to neutralize any electrolyte residue inside the battery box.
Example Sentence 2
The composite panels contained boric acid to reduce flammability during certification testing.