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Boron Carbide – B4C

Boron carbide(B4C) is a compound of boron and carbon. With a Mohs hardness between 9 and 10, boron carbide is one of the hardest synthetic substances known, being exceeded only by cubic boron nitride and diamond. The hardness of the material makes it extremely suitable for abrasive and wear-resistant applications.

 

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In solid form, B4C exhibits very low density along with the highest of hardness and good wear resistance.  Along with high elastic modulus, this combination provides superb energy absorption against ballistics especially when coupled with other materials like plastics.

Boron carbide

The hardest ceramic material, extremely suitable for ballistic applications.

Key characteristics
  • High hardness
  • Extreme wear resistance
  • Low density
  • Good thermal conductivity
  • Chemical resistance
Applications
  • Blasting nozzle
  • Ballistic application
  • Cutting tools
  • Abbrasives
  • Semiconductor
Yes, this is possible but very hard because the material is very hard an brittle. Therefore we would advise you to keep the complexity of the design minimal to avoid unnecessary costs.
The cost are generally quite high, because the hardness of the material makes it difficult to machine it.
The combination of hardness, high E-modulus and low density give the material exceptionally high stopping power to withstand impact of flying projectiles.
In most cases boron carbide is formed by hot isostatc pressing(HIP) and sintered at approx. 2200 °C for 2 hours. The melting point of the material is approx. 2350 °C.
Electrical properties
Mechanical properties
Thermal properties
Temperature application
Properties Density g/cm3 Porosity % Mechanical properties Hardness (Vickers) kg/mm2 Compressive strength N/mm2 Bending strength N/mm2 E-modulus kN/mm2 Weibull modulus m Fracture toughness K1c Mpam Coefficient of friction Thermal properties
(Max. use temperature) *in air ℃ *in inert atm. ℃ Thermal shock resistance Expansion coefficient *20C - 200C *20C - 600C *20C - 1000C Thermal conductivity at 20C W/mK Electrical properties (Resistivity) * at 20C ohm cm * at 400C ohm cm * at 1000C ohm cm
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