If you are unsure about boron carbide powder, you should know that it is one of the hardest materials. The substance is known to have physical and chemical properties similar to diamonds. Since it appears black or gray in color, the powder is often referred to as ‘black diamond’. The substance is not only odorless, it is also insoluble in water.
Boron Carbide Powder Properties
The compound is hard boron-carbon ceramic and is widely used in industries, in the production of bulletproof vests and tank armor. With a hardness of up to 9.3 on the Mohs scale, the compound is recognized as one of the hardest materials after cubic boron nitride and diamond. The modulus of elasticity and fracture toughness are some of the properties closest to diamond values.
Although the main substance is solid in nature, the powder form is produced by the chemical reaction between carbon dioxide and boron oxide. Since the thermal reduction occurs in an electric arc furnace, the powder must be refined by different methods. After removing metallic impurities, the powder becomes suitable for commercial use. Contact Boro Carbon suppliers if you plan to purchase the substance.
Like other oxide-free materials, boron carbide is difficult to sinter. But, the density of 95 percent can be achieved with the help of hot pressing or hot isostatic pressure sintering. To achieve sintering at a temperature between 1900 and 2200 degrees Celsius, the compound must be mixed with a small amount of silicon carbide or fine carbon.
Interestingly, boron carbide has a high cross-sectional area and is capable enough of absorbing neutrons. In addition, the substance offers stability when it is necessary to ionize chemicals and radiation. The compound also serves as a p-type semiconductor characterized by hop-type transport. Since the bandgap is equivalent to 2.09 eV, the intermediate band states make the photoluminescence spectrum more complicated.
Regarding the molar mass, the compound is 55.255 g / mol with a specific gravity of 2.52. The melting point is 2763 ° C (5005 ° F), while the boiling point is closer to 3500 ° C. Apart from other physical properties, the substance has a density of 2.52 g / cm3.
When the substance is in its usual state, the material has a rhombohedral crystalline structure. It is because of this attribute that several variants can be thought of without a change in structure. Carbon content can vary up to a maximum of 17 percent. To learn more about the material, contact a boron carbide manufacturer.
Boron Carbide Powder Applications
Due to its hardness, boron carbide functions as an abrasive when materials need to be polished. It is also used in the production of cutting tools and applications such as waterjet cutting. Since the material is resistant to abrasion, it is also used in the manufacture of nozzles.
With high strength, low density and high elastic modulus, the material is used in ballistic armor. The properties help protect people from high velocity projectiles.
Since boron carbide is a neutron absorber, the material is widely used in nuclear reactors. Most of the time, the material is used in the form of granules.
