Is Slime Better Made With Borax?

March 26, 2021

Gianna Bernardi
Mrs. Zander
7th grade Science

Abstract
The hypothesis of this experiment was if slime is made without borax, then the viscosity will be
more constant. Viscosity is where a fluid is measured by its resistance to break down at any given rate.
Mainly for liquids and corresponding to the experiment, it also refers to the thickness of a liquid. The
procedure is to make four types of slime, two with borax, and two without borax. Then, find the mass and
density of each slime, as well as how far it can stretch without breaking. Slime #3 had both the highest
density and the furthest distance stretched without breaking. Slime #2 had the highest mass at 146 grams,
but it had the lowest density and furthest distance stretched without breaking. Slime #1’s results were in the
middle in every data category. Slime #4 didn’t ever form, even after adding more dish soap, so
measurements were not able to be taken. For both recipes made with borax, there was a lot of excess liquid,
which helped in slime #1 to make it less sticky. In slime #2 an extra teaspoon of borax was added to make
the slime less sticky. Also when making both slimes with borax, warm water helped dissolve the borax
more, but it still never fully dissolved. This was also noted because Slime #1 had to be made again because
it was too sticky. With the experiment, the hypothesis was proven correct.

Introduction

The hypothesis for this experiment is if slime is made without borax, then the viscosity of

the slime will be more constant. The main point of this project is to determine whether or not

slime will have stronger viscosity properties and remain more constant when made without borax.

To determine this, four slimes will be made. Two with borax and two without borax. Then the

mass and density will be measured, as well as seeing how far it can stretch without breaking. The

slime with the greatest amounts in their measurements will be deemed with the most constant

viscosity properties. So the first question to answer is what is slime exactly. Slime is a liquid in

which its viscosity is not constant. Another term for this is a non-Newtonian fluid. The reason for

the non-constant viscosity is that slime can change its abilities to resist deformation. When

applying stress to slime, the particles squeeze together making it hard for them to slide against
each other. Slime is also an example of polymers, or molecules made by linking together chains

of subunits. A basic explanation of how slime works would be that chemicals are mixed together

to form polymers. Polymers would act as a net in this situation, while the molecules are sliding

around. One of the other ingredients for this experiment is borax. Borax, or sodium tetraborate, is

a mineral that has been used for cleaning products for a long time. It can get rid of stains, mold,

and mildew. It also kills insects, and is used in laundry detergents and household cleaners. Borax

is commonly confused with Boric Acid, which is much more toxic. Most borax boxes have

warning labels on them that it may be harmful when swallowed. The National Institute of Health

says that borax has in link with several adverse human health effects such as irritation, hormone

issues, toxicity, and death. If properly used with appropriate precautions, it can be safely used.

Some precautions include not using cosmetic products with borax in them, avoiding inhaling

borax, using gloves if using borax for cleaning around the house, washing your hands with soap

after using borax if it gets on your skin, and many more.

Materials and Methods

● 12 oz White glue
● 2 teaspoon Borax
● 1 ½ teaspoon Baking soda
● 1 ½ tablespoon Multipurpose lens solution
● 2 ½ cups water
● ½ cup of shaving cream
● 1 tbsp of cornstarch
● ½ cup of foaming hand soap
● 1 tbsp of dish soap
● Body Lotion
● Bowls
● Mixing utensils (ex: spoon)

For the first batch of slime with borax (slime #1), mix 1 teaspoon of Borax into 1 cup of
warm water. Stir until the Borax dissolves. In a separate bowl, mix 4 oz of white glue with ½
a cup of water. Then mix both solutions together. The slime should then get stiffer and harder
to stir. Once thoroughly stirred, take the slime out of the bowl and knead the rest by hand. For
the second batch with borax(slime #2), start with one cup of warm water and a teaspoon of
borax. Put the borax into the water, then stir until the borax dissolves. In a separate bowl,
place a half a cup glue inside it. Then add a half a cup of shaving cream and foaming hand
soap. Then proceed to add the water and borax mixture to the glue mixture and mix them
together. Next add a tablespoon of cornstarch and two pumps of body lotion. Mix these all
together until it starts to look like slime. If needed, add teaspoons of borax to help it come
together. Then start kneading it to thoroughly finish the mixing process. If still very sticky,
add a teaspoon of borax. For the first batch without Borax(slime #3), first pour the 4 oz of
glue into a bowl. In a separate bowl mix ½ a teaspoon of baking soda and 1 ½ tablespoons of
multipurpose lens solution. Then add the lens solution and baking soda solution together with
the glue. Like before with the batch of slime with Borax, mix the solutions until they start to
get stiff, then knead the rest by hand. For the second batch without borax(slime #4), start by
combining a cup of baking soda with a tablespoon of dish soap. Then mix together for a
creamy substance. If slime becomes too runny, add a pinch of baking soda.

Safety Measures:

Gloves, masks and goggles/glasses should be worn during the experiment especially when
dealing with the Borax, because it can be very toxic.

Data:
Distance stretched Mass Density

Slime #1 55.8 cm 122 g 0.93 g/cm³

Slime #2 50.8 cm 146 g 0.87 g/cm³

Slime #3 104.14 cm 132 g 1.15 g/cm³

Slime #4 N/A N/A N/A

Results:

Equation used: D= m/v

Slime #1: 122 g/142.154 cm³ = 0.92857143 g/cm³ = 0.93 g/cm³ ← rounded total

Slime #2: 146 g/ 167.292 cm³ = 0.87272727 g/cm³ = 0.87 g/cm³ ← rounded total

Slime #3: 132 g/ 106.32 cm³ = 1.14747619 g/cm³ = 1.15 g/cm³ ← rounded total

Discussion:

Comparing the actual results with the expected ones, it seems that the hypothesis was

proven correct. Slime #3 had both the highest density and the longest length when stretched,

giving the impression that its level of viscosity was the most constant. The only part where Slime
#3 wasn’t the highest with its data was the mass, which Slime #2 had. This was most likely

because of the fact that it had the most ingredients. Slime #4, the other non-borax slime, didn’t

come together at all. After stirring in the dish soap for a while, both the baking soda and dish

soap didn’t change forms at all. The baking soda started turning blue, because of the dish soap

coloring, but the powder texture of the baking soda didn’t change. After mixing in about 2 more

teaspoons of dish soap, still nothing proceeded to change. The reason for this may be because

there was too much baking soda, and not enough dish soap. If the ratio of baking soda to dish

soap would have been more even, it possibly would have worked. Moving to the slimes made

with borax, they turned out to be just fine. However, every time both recipes were made there

was a lot of liquid left over. In slime #2, there were a lot of ingredients. Especially evident in this

recipe, there was a lot of excess. When making that slime, adding another teaspoon of borax was

needed because the slime still was really sticky and the leftover mixture wasn’t helping very

much. It did prove useful when the slime #1 was too sticky, because mixing the already formed

slime with the borax-water mixture helped make it less sticky. In the end results, they still were

mildly sticky. Overall, a lot of the ingredients used could have been left out and of slime #2 and it

would have been just fine. Comparing slimes #1 and #2, they’re almost the same, only that slime

#2 is more fluffy and soft, due to the shaving cream, foaming hand soap, and body lotion. The

foaming hand soap at first seemed to be a possible problem because it was scented, but it only

scented the slime in turn. A reason for this may be because the borax never did dissolve fully,

though most of it did. When making slime #1, a second trial was needed, because warm water

wasn’t used and the slime came out far too sticky to even record data with. In that first trial, the

borax didn’t dissolve nearly as much as it did with the warm water. Even though not all the borax

dissolved, it still helped when the slime was too sticky. Another possible reason for the borax not

dissolving fully may have been because of how old the borax was. The borax was first opened
about four years ago, and has been kept in a dry environment the whole time. Because borax

doesn’t expire, this theory has a less likely chance of being true. Measurements are pretty

accurate, but could maybe be more precise. When measuring the length of the slimes

stretchiness, it would tend to start tearing in certain places, but wouldn’t be fully torn. Because of

this, the stretch length could have been shorter than what was recorded, but it depends on how

you classify the full length of the slime.

Conclusion:

The hypothesis of the experiment was if slime is made without borax, then the
viscosity

will be more constant. The results of this experiment proved the hypothesis correct,

being that the slime with the best results was slime #3, one of the slimes made without

borax. The two slimes with borax couldn’t stretch nearly as long as slime #3 and they

both had lower densities. Slime #2 had the highest mass, because of the fact that it had

the most ingredients used for the recipe. There are plenty of ways that could expand or

further explore the properties of slime. Testing which brands or types of glue are the

best, or maybe if and how food coloring or scents affect the slime. With this experiment

the hypothesis was proven correct with one of the slimes made.

Personal Reflection:

Overall, I really enjoyed this experiment and project because I’ve always enjoyed making
slime. Within the past few years, slime has become really popular and that was when I first
really started to look into it and make it. It was really interesting learning about how slime
really works and the properties of it. That is something that always fascinated me about
science, how you can do experiments to prove and show how things work and processes of life.
Like my experiment last year, I realized there was more of a process to when leaves change
color in the fall. Science fair is always a good opportunity to learn the science behind things
you like or enjoy doing, and I can’t wait for next years.

Bibliography

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14 Jan. 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324167#is-it-safe.

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thoughtco.com/slime-science-how-it-works-608232.

Helmenstine, Anne. “Making Slime with Borax and White Glue Takes Just Minutes.” ThoughtCo,

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