Boron carbide has excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature oxidation resistance. It does not react with acids, alkalis and most inorganic compounds at room temperature. There is only slow corrosion in sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid-nitric acid mixtures. The oxidation reaction basically does not occur below 600 °C, and when the temperature is above 600 °C, a B2O3 film is formed due to surface oxidation, preventing further oxidation.

Boron carbide can be added to carbonaceous refractory as an antioxidant, which not only enhances the thermal shock resistance of the refractory, but also protects the refractory from the infiltration of metal and slag, and prevents the carbon in the carbonaceous refractory from being oxidized. The reason why it can play this role is that when the boron carbide is oxidized, it will interact with the base material to form a liquid or gas phase, thereby preventing the carbon in the carbonaceous refractory from being oxidized and prolonging the service life of carbon-containing refractory.