Boron Carbide (B4C) Micron Powder

Boron carbide (B4C) is an extremely hard boron–carbon ceramic and covalent material. It is one of the hardest known materials, behind cubic boron nitride and diamond. Its melting point is nearly 2445℃ and has a density of 2.52 g/cm3. It has extreme hardness, good chemical resistance, relatively low density, and good nuclear properties. Boron carbide micron powder is generally produced by reacting carbon with B2O3 in an electric arc furnace, through carbothermal reduction or by gas phase reactions. Due to its high hardness, boron carbide powder is used as an abrasive in polishing and lapping applications, also as a loose abrasive in cutting applications such as water jet cutting. It can also be used for dressing diamond tools. Besides, its ability to absorb neutrons without forming long lived radio-nuclides make B4C powder attractive as an absorbent for neutron radiation arising in nuclear power plants. Nuclear applications of boron carbide micron powders include shielding, and control rod and shut down pellets. Other applications of B4C powders include ceramic tooling dies, precision toll parts, evaporating boats for materials testing and mortars and pestles.