BORON CARBIDE

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Boron carbide
Boron carbide
General
Systematic name	Boron carbide
Other names	Tetrabor B4-C B4C Black Diamond
Molecular formula	B4C
Molar mass	55.255 g/mol
Appearance	Black powder.
CAS number
Properties
Density and phase	2.52 g/cm3, solid.
Solubility in water	Insoluble.
Melting point	2350 °C (2623.15 K)
Boiling point	>3500 °C (>3773.15 K)
Structure
Molecular shape	?
Coordination geometry	?
Crystal structure	Rhombohedral
Dipole moment	? D
Hazards
MSDS	>External MSDS]
Main hazards	Harmful, irritant.
NFPA 704
Flash point	Non-flammable.
R/S statement	R: , , . S: , .
RTECS number	?
Supplementary data page
Structure and properties	''n'', εr, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Related compounds
Other anions	?
Other cations	?
Related compounds	Boron nitride
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25°C, 100 kPa)

'Boron carbide' (chemical formula B₄C) is an extremely hard ceramic material used in tank armor, bulletproof vests, and numerous industrial applications. With a hardness of 9.3 on the mohs scale, it is the fifth hardest material known behind boron nitride, diamond, ultrahard fullerite, and aggregated diamond nanorods.
Discovered in the 19th century as a by-product of reactions involving metal borides, it was not until the 1930s that the material was studied scientifically. Boron carbide is now produced industrially by the carbo-thermal reduction of B₂O₃ (boron oxide) in an electric arc furnace.
Its ability to absorb neutrons without forming long lived radionuclides makes the material attractive as an absorbent for neutron radiation arising in nuclear power plants. Nuclear applications of boron carbide include shielding, control rod and shut down pellets.

Contents

Applications

References

External links

Applications

★ Personal and vehicle anti-ballistic armor plating, small-arms protective inserts.

★ Grit blasting nozzles.

★ High-pressure water jet cutter nozzles.

★ Scratch and wear resistant coatings.

★ Cutting tools and dies.

★ Abrasives such as used in grinding wheels.

★ Neutron absorber and control rod material in nuclear reactors.

References

★ Carbide, Nitride and Boride Materials Synthesis and Processing ISBN 0-412-54060-6

External links

★ National Pollutant Inventory - Boron and compounds

★ NIST Chemistry Database Entry for Boron Carbide