Kernite

<p>Kernite, also known as rasorite, is a hydrated <a href="/facts/Sodium/eYuSPu2V">sodium</a> <a href="/facts/Borate/5XwkBTv1">borate</a> <a href="/facts/Hydroxide/zW0wxpWD">hydroxide</a> <a href="/facts/Mineral/LkUFbNmv">mineral</a> with formula Na2B4O6(OH)2·3H2O. It is a colorless to white mineral crystallizing in the <a href="/facts/Monoclinic_crystal_system/5PCwXvzX">monoclinic crystal system</a> typically occurring as prismatic to <a href="/facts/Acicular_(crystal_habit)/PGMnp4TX">acicular crystals</a> or granular masses. It is relatively soft with <a href="/facts/Mohs_hardness/wXBMcVIm">Mohs hardness</a> of 2.5 to 3 and light with a <a href="/facts/Specific_gravity/ySquGd2x">specific gravity</a> of 1.91. It exhibits perfect cleavage and a brittle fracture.
</p><p>Kernite is soluble in cold water and alters to <a href="/facts/Tincalconite/lB5YqmeX">tincalconite</a> when it dehydrates. It undergoes a non-reversible alteration to metakernite (Na2B4O7·5H2O) when heated to above 100 °C.
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Kernite open-in-new

Kernite