Boron carbide (chemical formula B4C) is an extremely hard ceramic material used in tank armor, bulletproof vests and many industrial applications. Its Mohs hardness is 9.3, and it is the fifth hardest known substance after diamond, cubic boron nitride, fullerene compounds and diamond monolithic tubes.

Properties of B4C

1) The most important performance of boron carbide lies in its extraordinary hardness (Mohs hardness of 9.3), which is second only to diamond and cubic boron nitride, and is the most ideal high-temperature wear-resistant material;

(2) The density of boron carbide is very small, which is the lightest among ceramic materials and can be used in the aerospace field;

(3) Boron carbide has a strong neutron absorption capacity. Compared with pure elements B and Cd, it has low cost, good corrosion resistance and good thermal stability. It is widely used in the nuclear industry. Boron carbide has a good neutron absorption capacity. Further improvement by adding B element;

(4) Boron carbide has excellent chemical properties. It does not react with acids, alkalis and most inorganic compounds at room temperature. It only corrodes slowly in the mixture of hydrofluoric acid-sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid-nitric acid. It is the most stable chemical property. One of the compounds;

(5) Boron carbide also has the advantages of high melting point, high elastic modulus, low expansion coefficient and good oxygen absorption capacity;

(6) Boron carbide is also a p-type semiconductor material, which can maintain semiconductor characteristics even at very high temperatures.