Basic Properties, Synthesis and Typical Properties of Boron Carbide

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What is Boron Carbide?

Boron Carbide Powder belongs to the trigonal system. The unit cell contains 12 B and 3 C. The unit cell’s stereo diagonally connected C atoms are in an active configuration. They can be substituted by B atoms, forming a replacement solution.

B4C powder is very hard and has a high grinding efficiency. It can grind up to 60%-70% more efficiently than diamond.


B4C Powder has a melting temperature of 2450°C (decomposition). The coefficient for expansion at 1000degC (4.5×10-6degC-1) is 4.5×10-6degC-1. The thermal conductivity of B4C powder is 121.4W/m*k when it’s 100degC, and 62.79W/m*k when it’s 700degC. Hot-pressed products of B4C are used for wear-resistant and temperature-resistant parts. B4C powder is primarily used in the refractory industries as an anti-oxidant additive. Unshaped materials enhance the strength and resistance to corrosion of the body.

The properties of Boron Carbide and their Synthesis

B4C powder is synthesized in industry by reducing boron ahydride with excess Carbon:

2B2O3+7C-B4+6CO|


The synthesis reaction may be carried out either in an electric arc or a muffle oven. In a resistance-type furnace, the mixtures of boron hydride B2O3 with carbon C are heated to a lower decomposition temperature than B4C. This is an effective way to synthesize B4C. B4C is broken down into boron and carbon rich phase in the electric-arc furnace because of the high temperature. The reaction product may contain a lot of free C (20%-30%). As a result, the B4C obtained is of slightly inferior quality.


In order to synthesize B4C using an electric arc, boric acids (with a content greater than 92%), artificial graphite with a fixed carbon of greater than 95%, and petroleum coke with 85% fixed carbon are used. The theoretical dosage is calculated based on the reaction formula. The theoretical amount is 2% higher. Each of artificial graphite and petroleum coke accounts for 50% of total carbon addition, which is 3%-4% more than the theoretical amount. Add the three prepared raw materials to the arc and mix them in a ball-mill. B4C can then be obtained by carbonizing the furnace and reducing it between 1700-2300. Finaly, the frit will be sorted and cleaned, crushed, pulverized, pickled and sedimented to get B4C with different particle sizes.


(aka. Technology Co. Ltd., a trusted global chemical materials supplier & manufacturer has over 12 years experience in providing high-quality nanomaterials and chemicals. The B4C powder that we produce is of high purity with a fine particle size. If you need lower, please call us.