[Fndshorn4]

I'm not sure if this is the right place, or if anyone can help me find this.

I'm trying to find a chemical that acts as a water conditioner. If I'm not mistaken, it was called "LAB", but most searches just count that as a lab. It came in a large blue drum and was a soapy consistency, clear with a very light yellow/brown tint. I was told it was also used as a bug killer. I'm using it as a solution to create less friction in a process I am working on.

Again, if this isn't the right place, can someone please move my post? Thanks!

[Arkcon]

Kinda hard to follow your application.  What is the "water conditioner"?  What does it do, usually?  I can only guess that "LAB" is a brand name, unless its an acronym.

[Fndshorn4]

Kinda hard to follow your application.  What is the "water conditioner"?  What does it do, usually?  I can only guess that "LAB" is a brand name, unless its an acronym.

I've been using it to reduce friction in a sanding process on polycarbonate. It's like a soapy mixture, but if I can't find the right chemical, it doesn't work.

[billnotgatez]

@Fndshorn4
Is there any information on the container it came in???
no mater how trivial

[Wastrel]

Lithium borate?

[Fndshorn4]

Lithium borate?

I guess this could be a possibility, but from what I see this is a powder and not a liquid. Does it come in liquid form? If so, any sources?

[Fndshorn4]

It does look like borate nitrite though: http://www.hoodchemical.com/borate-nitrate.html

Would this be a lubricant and of a soapy consistency?

A white powder is normally mixed in as well, maybe LB?

[billnotgatez]

from WIKI

Borax has a wide variety of uses. It is a component of many detergents, cosmetics, and enamel glazes. It is also used to make buffer solutions in biochemistry, as a fire retardant, as an anti-fungal compound for fiberglass, as a flux in metallurgy, neutron-capture shields for radioactive sources, a texturing agent in cooking, and as a precursor for other boron compounds.

[Fndshorn4]

from WIKI

Borax has a wide variety of uses. It is a component of many detergents, cosmetics, and enamel glazes. It is also used to make buffer solutions in biochemistry, as a fire retardant, as an anti-fungal compound for fiberglass, as a flux in metallurgy, neutron-capture shields for radioactive sources, a texturing agent in cooking, and as a precursor for other boron compounds.

Yep, I'm pretty sure this is it, thanks guys!

[billnotgatez]

So what does LAB on the label mean??
Is there other indications on the box?
inquiring minds would like to know:)

[Mr. Inquisitive]

I have attended a seminar on soap making several years ago, it's called LABS - Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate. Others call it LAB or LAS. It is a surfactant one of the ingredients in detergent making.

[billnotgatez]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_alkylbenzene
Linear alkylbenzene on WIKI

I guess it could be the above