Applications and Advantages of Corundum Abrasive Material
Boron carbide (chemical formula B₄C) is a boron-carbon ceramic and covalent material. It is one of the hardest known materials, second only to cubic boron nitride and diamond, with a Vickers hardness >30 GPa. So what is the application of boron carbide?
Boron carbide is a tough material with high toughness (Mohs hardness of about 9.5 to 9.75), a large neutron absorption cross section (strong neutron shielding performance), and resistance to ionizing radiation and most chemicals. Its Vickers hardness (38 GPa), elastic modulus (460 GPa), and fracture toughness (3.5 MPam−1/2) are similar to those of diamond (1150 GPa and 5.3 MPam−1/2). In 2015, boron carbide was identified as the third hardest material, second only to diamond and cubic boron nitride, thus it has been praised as the "black diamond." Boron carbide is a semiconductor, with its electronic properties dominated by hopping-type transport. The band gap is determined by both its composition and degree of order. The band gap is measured at 2.09 eV, and the photoluminescence spectrum is complex due to several mid-gap states.
HAOYUN boron carbide (B₄C) has many excellent properties such as high hardness, high temperature resistance, resistance to acid and alkali corrosion, high strength, and high chemical stability, making its applications very extensive.
Abrasives and machining
Due to its high hardness, boron carbide is widely used as an abrasive to process various hard metals, corundum, glass, and other materials. Additionally, it can be used to make cutting edges, mortars, and other cutting tools, improving processing efficiency and precision.
Wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant devices
Boron carbide can be used to manufacture wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant devices, such as wear-resistant welding rods, sandblasting nozzles, and mechanical seals, which can maintain good performance in harsh environments.
Lightweight armor and protection
Boron carbide can also be used in lightweight armor for helicopters and bulletproof vests. Due to its high hardness and low density, it can provide effective protection while reducing the weight of the equipment.
Boronizing agent
Boron carbide is used as a boronizing agent in the boronizing process of the surfaces of steel or other alloys, forming a boronized iron thin layer that enhances the material's strength and wear resistance.
Additives
In the production of borides through the reduction-chemical method, boron carbide serves as a boron source to produce TiB₂, ZrB₂, GrB₂ powders, and can also be used to manufacture boron halides, boranes, etc.
Boron carbide composite ceramics
By adding sintering aids to improve the sintering behavior of boron carbide, affordable and high-quality boron carbide products can be obtained. These composite ceramic materials, which have high-temperature corrosion resistance and wear resistance, have been widely used in industrial nozzles, pump seals, and hot extrusion dies.
