No, borates and borax are not the same thing, though they are related.
Borates refer to a group of minerals or compounds that contain boron. This term encompasses a variety of substances that have boron as a part of their chemical structure, including boric acid, sodium borate (which is commonly known as borax), and others.
Borax specifically refers to sodium borate, a well-known compound primarily used in cleaning products, as well as in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. It has a chemical formula of Na2B4O7ยท10H2O and is naturally occurring in some mineral deposits.
In summary, while all borax is a borate, not all borates are borax. Understanding this distinction is important for recognizing the different applications and properties of these substances.