Boron carbide is an important ingredient in the refractories as well, engineering ceramics, nuclear industry, aerospace, and others because of its high melting temperature, low hardness, great neutron absorption and chemical resistant.
1. Crystal structure and properties of boron carbonide
Complex crystal structure of Boron Carbide with typical Icosahedral Boride. The stoichiometric ratio is B4C.
B4C and Boron carbide have many isomers. They range in carbon content from 8%-20%. This boron-carbide structure has the highest stability: B13c2, b13c3, b13c3, b13c3, bor4C with rhombohedral structures and others similar to b13c3. It contains twelve icosahedral clones in the hexagonal boron-carbidide structure. The apex for the Rhombohedron contains the dodecahedral structure.
Boron and carbon are capable of replacing each other on both the icosahedrons and atomic chains, and that is one reason why boron carbide has so many isomers. Boorn carbide’s unique structure gives it excellent mechanical and physical characteristics.
2. Characteristics and uses of boron carbonide
HTML2_ 2.1 Boron carbide
Hardness
The best part about boron carbide is its incredible hardness (Mohs 9.3,microhardness 55gpaa-67gpa), a material that can withstand high temperatures and wear. Boron carbide is commonly called black diamond. The material can be used in armor design, bulletproof clothing as well as many industrial applications.
What about boron carbide? Is it harder than a diamond.
You can answer this question with a resounding “No.” Boron carbide is the same as diamond in hardness. Boron carbide is a tough black crystal that has an extremely high hardness. Its hardness, however, is lower than that of industrial diamonds. But it’s harder than silicon carbide. Accordingly, boron carbonide is the fifth hardiest known material.
HTML2_ HTML3_ HTML4_ 2.2 Density
Boron cadmide’s theoretical density is 2.52g/cm3, but its relative density, (d204), is 2.5082.512.
It is an extremely light ceramic material, with very low density.
HTML3_ 2.3 Chemical property of boron-caride
Boron carbide has outstanding chemical properties. It doesn’t react with acids, bases, or any other organic compounds at roomtemperature. It erodes very slowly when it is mixed with hydrofluoric (sulfuric) acid, hydrofluoric (hydrofluoric), and nitric acid. It’s one of most stable compounds.
HTML2_ 2.4 The other properties of boron-carbid
Boron carbonide has several advantages, including a lower cost and excellent resistance to corrosion.
Boron carbide also boasts high melting points and elastic modulus.
Boron carbide is also available as a p-type semiconductor materials, so it can preserve the semiconductor characteristics at very high temperatures.
3. Applying boron carbide
Nozzle material
Boron carbide is extremely hard and resistant to wear, making it an ideal nozzle material. Boron carbide is a great nozzle material because it has a very long service life and is relatively cost-effective. It also saves time and money.
Radioprotective materials and Neutron absorption
Element B can absorb neutrons up to 600-barrels, making it the primary material of the reduction element control rod and radiation protection section of the nuclear radio reactor.
By its super hard and low modulus it can be used to create light armor materials and bulletproof vests. Boron carbide vests for bulletproofing are 50% lighter than the equivalent steel. Boron carbide is crucial bulletproof armor material in armored trucks, armoured helicopters, and civil airliners.
Semiconductor industrial parts and thermoelectric elements
Boron carbide clays exhibit semiconductor properties with better thermal conductivity. It is used extensively in the semiconductor sector. B4C/C combination can be used in high-temperature thermocouple elements with operating temperatures of up to 2300 and as a radiation resistant thermoelectric element.
Abrasives
B4C can be used as an antifriction or wear-resistant material because of its hardness. Boron carbonide is used as an alternative to diamond-abrasives during polishing, precision and grinding processes of cemented cadmium and engineering ceramics. This reduces the overall cost of grinding.
B4C coated substrates can also be covered with the coating to provide a protective film that will protect it from wear and improve its durability. B4C is a coating that can be placed on gearboxes to improve their wear resistance and prolong the equipment’s life.
In the field, of refractories, for instance, boron carbonide is used to provide antioxidants.
Boron carbide is an indispensable component in aerospace, nuclear energy, national defense and wear-resistant tech due to its outstanding performance. Some of the preparation methods are: mechanochemical and direct synthesis methods; self-propagating temperature reduction method; carbothermal reduction process; sol-gel method.
Presently, the biggest problem to popularizing boron caride is its high price of preparation and its weak resistance to oxidation.
Cataniadagiocare, Cataniadagiocare Advance Material Tech Co., Ltd., an experienced Boron carbide manufacturer, has over 12+ years in chemical products development research. We are happy to assist you with your Boron carbide needs.
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