Bases are soapy to touch because of soap formation on contact with lipids present on our skin. If this is the case then why and how is boric acid soapy to touch?
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$\begingroup$ @DGS Yeah , but how H3BO3 is self lubricating? $\endgroup$– JM97Commented Mar 27, 2016 at 4:41
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From what I've been able to find, it is similar to how graphite acts as a lubricant. Boric acid is flat and it hydrogen bonds to form layers of flat networks. These slide on each other like layers of graphite do, reducing friction.
answered Mar 27, 2016 at 6:05