Ulexite dissolution in water has been studied in the wide temperature range from 10℃ to 93 ℃ and two higher temperatures at 120 ℃ and 240 ℃. The analytical results showed that ulexite dissolved congruently from 10 ℃ to 35 ℃ and incongruently from 40 to 68 ℃. The solid component of ulexite, NaCaB5O6(OH)6·5H2O was dehydrated to form NaCaB5O6(OH)6·H2O from 50 to 68 ℃ and finally amorphous solid at 68 ℃. This amorphous solid converted into priceite at 71 ℃ and then converted completely to priceite at the boiling point(93 ℃) of the solution. At both 120 and 240 ℃, the dissolution of ulexite was an incongruent process. Above 120 ℃, ulexite became amorphous solid and then transformed into priceite. In addition to the solid to solid transformation, crystallization of priceite from the solution has also been observed. Based on our experimental results, mechanisms of dissolution, transformation, and crystallization of borate in ulexite-water system are discussed.
