Overview of Boron carbide powder
Boron Carbide (B4C) is a ceramic compound renowned for its exceptional hardness and wear resistance, ranking just below diamond and cubic boron nitride in terms of hardness. Composed of boron and carbon atoms arranged in a covalently bonded crystal structure, it exhibits unique physical and chemical properties that make it highly valuable in various industrial and military applications. Boron carbide’s high melting point, low density, neutron-absorbing capability, and extreme toughness further distinguish it among advanced materials.
Features of Boron carbide powder
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Extreme Hardness: With a Mohs hardness of around 9.3 to 9.5, boron carbide is one of the hardest materials known, surpassed only by diamond and cubic boron nitride.
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Lightweight: Despite its hardness, boron carbide has a relatively low density of about 2.52 g/cm³, which makes it an attractive material for lightweight armor systems.
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Thermal Stability: It possesses excellent thermal stability, maintaining its properties up to temperatures around 2,000°C, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.
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Neutron Absorption: Boron carbide is a potent neutron absorber due to its boron content, making it ideal for nuclear shielding and control rods.
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Chemical Resistance: Resistant to most acids and alkalis, except for hydrofluoric acid and hot concentrated alkaline solutions, ensuring durability in corrosive environments.
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Abrasion Resistance: Its exceptional wear resistance makes it suitable for applications where friction and abrasion are prevalent, such as sandblasting nozzles.
(Boron carbide powder)
Parameters of Boron carbide powder
Boron carbide powder (B4C) is a dense, hard, and brittle material that can be used in various applications such as cement production, metal casting, and cutting tools.
Here are some of the key properties of boron carbide powder:
* High density: B4C has a density of around 20 g/cm³, making it very lightweight and easy to handle.
* High hardness: B4C has a hardness of around 10 HRC (Hardness Reading Classification), which makes it resistant to wear and tear.
* Excellent ductility: B4C has good ductility and can bend, twist, and form under stress.
* Low volatility: B4C is relatively low in volatile components, which makes it easier to work with in high-temperature environments.
Overall, boron carbide powder is a versatile material that is widely used in a variety of industries due to its strong and durable properties.
(Boron carbide powder)
Applications of Boron carbide powder
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Armor Systems: Widely used in body armor, vehicle armor, and bulletproof vests due to its lightweight and superior protection capabilities.
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Nuclear Applications: As control rods and shielding material in nuclear reactors because of its neutron absorbing properties.
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Abrasive and Cutting Tools: In grinding wheels, polishing powders, and cutting tools due to its hardness and wear resistance.
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Industrial Nozzles: For sandblasting and water jet cutting applications where resistance to wear and erosion is critical.
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Military and Defense: As a component in armor-piercing projectiles and defensive systems.
Company Profile
MyCarbides is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality carbides and relative products.
The company has a professional technical department and Quality Supervision Department, a well-equipped laboratory, and equipped with advanced testing equipment and after-sales customer service center.
If you are looking for high-quality carbide materials and relative products, please feel free to contact us or click on the needed products to send an inquiry.
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Shipment
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FAQs of Boron carbide powder
Q: Is Boron carbide powder toxic?
A: Pure boron carbide is generally considered safe to handle. However, during machining or grinding, dust inhalation can be a concern, requiring proper ventilation and protective equipment.
Q: Can Boron carbide powder be machined?
A: Due to its extreme hardness, machining boron carbide is difficult and requires specialized techniques and diamond tooling. Grinding, EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), or laser cutting are common methods.
Q: How does Boron carbide powder compare to tungsten carbide in terms of hardness?
A: Boron carbide powder is harder than tungsten carbide, with a Mohs hardness of around 9.3 to 9.5 compared to tungsten carbide’s 8.5 to 9.
Q: What is the primary use of Boron carbide powder in the military sector?
A: Boron carbide powder is primarily used in the military for body armor, armored vehicles, and as a component in armor-piercing ammunition due to its combination of hardness, light weight, and ballistic performance.
Q: Can Boron carbide powder be used in high-temperature applications?
A: Yes, Boron carbide powder maintains its structural integrity and properties up to very high temperatures, making it suitable for use in extreme heat environments such as furnace linings and high-temperature ceramics.
(Boron carbide powder)
