Is Boron Carbide A Ceramic

Boron carbide machining grinding.

Is boron carbide a ceramic.

Boron carbide chemical formula approximately b 4 c is an extremely hard boron carbon ceramic and covalent material used in tank armor bulletproof vests engine sabotage powders as well as numerous industrial applications. Boron carbide or b4c is an extremely hard ceramic material discovered in 1899. Boron carbide tends to contain second phase graphite and it is this property which has a major influence on the strength of the material. High hardness is about hv3300 low density is about 2 5g cm3 boron carbide bullet proof ceramic is much better than silicon carbide and aluminum oxide material.

Boron carbides are often used in ballistic armor taking advantage of exceptional hardness and low density. B4c ceramic bullet proof plate is widely used in heavy armored protection in planes tanks ships and high class physical protection. Boron carbide composite is a composite of boron carbide and silicon carbide which leads to an increase in strength and hardness as compared to other composite materials. Besides it has good chemical inertness and high neutron absorption cross section.

With a vickers hardness of 30 gpa it is one of the hardest known materials behind cubic boron nitride and diamond. It is perhaps the hardest of materials which can be processed as a conventional ceramic and its applications are concentrated where hardness is the principal requirement including grit blasting nozzles bearings. Its strong chemical bonds and hard surface minimize wear in rigorous environments. 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 cbn and diamond.

The material has high wear resistance high compressive strength and low density and is usually produced by hot pressing or hot isostatic pressing techniques to achieve better sintering. However the sintering process that is required to fully densify the material causes the boron carbide body to shrink approximately 20. The composition ranges from b4c at 78 25 wt boron to at least b6 5c at 85 4 wt boron. Excellent abrasion wear resistance.

Boron carbide b 4 c is one of the world s hardest manufactured materials. Boron carbide is exceptionally hard only diamond and cubic boron nitride materials are known to have a higher hardness. Boron carbide b 4 c is one of a number of boron carbon compounds but is the one most frequently used as a ceramic material. While in the green or biscuit form it can be machined relatively easily into complex geometries.

Order your b4c now.