Boron Carbide

About This Product

Boron carbide (B4C, CAS 12069-32-8) is a hexagonal ceramic and one of the hardest man-made materials, with Mohs hardness 9.36 and micro hardness of 5400-6300 kg/mm² at a density of only 2.52 g/cm³; it melts at 2450 °C. Composition is set per grit range, from 96.5% B4C minimum at F100-F220 to 93.5% minimum at F1000-F1200, with total carbon at 18-21% in every range and limits on free boron, free carbon and iron oxide. As a loose abrasive it grinds, laps, polishes and drills hard metal alloys, sapphire, watch parts and jewels. Sintered, it forms sandblasting and precision spray nozzles, seals and other wear-resistant parts, and it is also used in boriding refractories and in making boron steel and boron alloys. The grit list runs from F180 to F800, while composition limits are given for F4 to F1200, so confirm that the grit you need can be supplied. Boron carbide enriched in its neutron-absorbing boron isotope is a controlled dual-use good under UK and EU export rules; confirm that the grade quoted is not isotope-enriched.