All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(208 products available)
Ready to Ship
Ready to Ship
Boron carbide, known as one of the hardest abrasives, is a transitional metal carbide chemical compound. While usually available in powder form, it's significant in various industrial applications.
The types of boron carbide include:
Boron carbide F1200
Boron carbide is generally hard and chemically stable, withstanding high temperatures. The F1200 type includes an abrasive grain size. The number refers to the size of the mesh screen used to sieve the particles. Hence, the smaller the number, the finer the particle. The F1200 boron carbide particles are approximately 0.5-0.9 mm. Being a refractory compound, it doesn't melt easily and can be used in molds for casting metals with high melting points, like steel. It possesses neutron-absorbing properties, making it fit for control rods in nuclear reactors. Moreover, its hardness makes it an ideal candidate for ballistic armor components. This type is widely used in machining non-metallics and hardened steels.
Boron carbide powder
Boron carbide powder is manufactured by mechanically milling bulk boron carbide and sieving it to obtain a specific particle size, or by using a sol-gel process. The powder is a fine abrasive used in lapping, polishing, and cutting hard materials like ceramic and stainless steel. It is also used in coating for tools and armor plating due to its hardness and lightweight properties.
Boron carbide ceramic
Boron carbide ceramics are produced by pressing boron carbide powder into desired shapes and firing it at high temperatures. This process densifies the material, improving its strength and hardness. Boron carbide ceramics are commonly used in ballistic vests, helmets, and vehicle armor because they can absorb and disperse energy from impacts. They are important in industrial machinery protection and tooling in metalworking due to their abrasion resistance.
Boron carbide pellets
Boron carbide pellets are usually produced by compacting boron carbide powder under high pressure and then sintering it. Sintering involves heating the pellets to a temperature that binds the particles together without melting the material. Pellets are mainly used in neutron capture applications in nuclear reactors. In agriculture, boron carbide pellets are used as a slow-release source of boron for improving soil fertility and plant health.
Boron carbide possesses unique features that suit it for multiple applications.
Hardness
Boron carbide has a hardness of 9.2 on the Mohs scale, which makes it one of the most durable materials. Apart from diamond, it is often used to make a grinding wheel to sharpen cutting tools. Its durability makes it suitable for ballistic armor like vests and helmets, used in defense and security.
Chemical durability
Boron carbide is inert to most acids and bases and highly resistant to chemical attack. This chemical durability allows it to function in environments where other materials degrade. For instance, it serves in nuclear reactors for extended periods without significant degradation. It also makes it useful in industrial filtration systems that separate chemicals.
Low density
Boron carbide is less dense than steel, though as hard as steel and other materials, thus lightweight. This property makes it ideal for applications where weight is a factor. Such include body armor that must provide protection without excessive weight. It is also used in industrial grinding wheels as the lighter wheels are easier to handle.
Neutron absorption
Boron carbide is a porous material with the capability to absorb thermal neutrons efficiently. The boron isotope, B-10, captures neutrons, making boron carbide important in nuclear applications.
Abrasive particle size
F1200 boron carbide particles are approximately 0.5-0.9 mm in diameter. These fine particles make it suitable for precision applications in machining. These include lapping and polishing hard materials like ceramics, tungsten, and diamonds. In these applications, the F1200 particle size ensures a smooth finish by removing material uniformly.
Boron carbide is versatile, with users in industry and research.
Abrasive applications
F1200 boron carbide's fine particle size makes it useful in precision grinding and polishing hard materials, including ceramics, tungsten, and diamond. In the metalworking industry, it sharpens tools and gives them a fine edge. Lapping compounds incorporate boron carbide for mirrors and optics to achieve a reflective, smooth finish.
Boron carbide armor
Boron carbide's hardness and lightweight properties make it ideal for ballistic armor. It is molded into vests, helmets, and vehicle armor to absorb impact and offer protection in military and security applications. Hence, armor exceeds protection standards while weighing less than alternative materials.
Nuclear reactors
Boron carbide's capability to absorb neutrons efficiently makes it important in nuclear reactors. Incontrol rods, boron carbide helps maintain the fission process by slowing down neutrons and ensuring a steady release of energy. Thus, providing a safe operation of reactors.
Industrial ceramics
Boron carbide powder helps to produce hard-wearing industrial ceramics used in cutting tools and machine components. The powder can also be used in abrasive suspensions for grinding processes in manufacturing.
Biomedical applications
Research explores incorporating boron carbide into bone repair and regeneration scaffolds. Its biocompatibility and strength could provide support in orthopedic implants or bone grafts in tissue engineering.
When choosing boron carbide, the following factors increase its efficiency.
Purity
Boron carbide with high purity contains less than 1% of SiC or silicon contaminants. Samples can be tested using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, or energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to determine the extent of contamination. High-purity boron carbide enhances tool performance and extends its service life by reducing abrasion on the workpiece.
Particle morphology
Angular particles provide sharper edges for cutting and grind, resulting in faster material removal. Conversely, spherical particles flow better and pack more uniformly, giving smoother finishes. Grit sizes range from F240 to F1200, with finer sizes producing smoother finishes. They are also available in film or belt form for specific machining.
Coated vs. Uncoated boron carbide
Coated boron carbide usually contains electroplated or glued particles to a substrate. This configuration provides better control over the quantity of abrasive. It is also easy to replace or refresh worn-out abrasives. Uncoated operates effectively in applications where strong mechanical bonding is important for long-term durability.
Binder materials
Manufacturers of bonded abrasives use different binders, including resin, rubber, or vitrified. Each offers unique properties like flexibility, hardness, and wear resistance. Resin-bonded abrasives are usually the best for grinding hard materials. Resin-embedded wheels can be identified by their reddish coloration and are specially designed for ultra-hard workpieces like tungsten carbide or hardened steel. The rubber bond wheel retains shape remarkably well during extended operations.
Boron carbide's hardness and fine particle size make it ideal for lapping, polishing, and grinding hard materials like ceramics, tungsten, and metals. It achieves mirror-smooth finishes and tight tolerances in aerospace, automotive, and precision engineering.
Boron carbide's lightweight and hardness make it ideal for body armor and vehicle protection. It absorbs and dissipates energy from bullets and shrapnel. Thus, offering superior protection without the armor becoming excessively heavy.
Boron carbide's ability to absorb thermal neutrons stems from the isotopes of boron, particularly B-10, which capture neutrons. The neutrally charged neutrons interact with the positively charged protons in the nucleus, forming stable, heavier isotopes. This property makes boron carbide vital in nuclear reactors and radiation detectors.
Although boron carbide is slightly less hard than diamond, it's tougher and more durable under high-impact conditions. Its abrasive nature equals diamond in general machining but excels in extended grinding of hard materials without wearing down.
Boron carbide helps in nuclear energy by providing reliable control and efficiency in reactors. Additionally, research into boron carbide billets in solar energy and stem cell therapy offers potential in sustainable energy and advanced biomedical technologies.
