Hexagonal Boron Nitride is one of the most popular dry lubricants available today, due mostly to its lubricant properties, thermal conductivity (heat sink), and its inertness to molten metals and salts. It is often incorporated into a paste, for use in high temperature coating applications, such as tooling and stamping machined parts, extrusion presses, mold release, etc. Our high temperature coatings (paint) are non flammable and stable.

One of the benefits of working with Boron Nitride in paste or coatings form, is that you will not have the risk of airborne particles affecting your process, or your workers.

How is it applied? It is generally painted on with a common paint brush, but it will depend on your application.

How is it sold? It is formulated by the gallon, and therefore sold by the gallon. Discounts available with 10 or more gallons purchased. Minimum purchase is one gallon. Additional sizes include 5 gallon pail or 55 gallon drum.

What is the viscosity? Depends on your application. This will vary from light (for use in a spray gun) to very thick.

What is the color? By default, we will color the paste blue so that you can tell when it needs re-applying. If you do not want any color added, please tell us. It will be white in color if we do not add pigmentation to it. (It will simply look like a thick white paint.)

What is the Boron Nitrde content? This will vary from 5 to 40%.

What is the cost? This is a custom product, and cannot be ordered online. The percentage of HBN in the paste will, among other things, determine price. Please Contact Us with the following information and we will quote you a custom coating:

1. What is the maximum operating temperature the coating will be exposed to?
2. What is your application, how will you use it, what type of machine or surface are you applying it to, etc.?
3. How thick (viscous) do you desire the paste to be (if known)?
4. How many gallons do you require a quote on?

Main Formulations: Although the main formulation is for Aluminum, Magnesium, Zinc and Lead Foundries, there are other formulations as indicated below. Each formulation will be modified as necessary to your application.

1. Mold Casting Release Formulation
2. Anti-Wetting Coating for Metal, Ceramics & Graphite û thin composition
3. General Purpose High Temperature Coating - thicker composition
4. Heavy Duty thick composition for coating parts that are moving in molten metal

Shipping Information: Due to ISO Quality Control procedures, this material takes 3 business days from the date of order, to the date of shipping. Please keep this in mind when ordering.

HBN Order Page: Use the bottom of this page to order one or more pounds of HBN powder. You may choose from three sizes: -5, -8, or -10 micron, as well as Cosmetic Grade.

What is Hexagonal Boron Nitride Powder? This product has structure and properties similar to graphite. Hexagonal boron nitride powder is one of the most popular dry lubricants available today, due mostly to its lubricant properties and its inertness to molten metals and salts. It is therefore often used as a mold release agent.

HBN (White Graphite) also has high thermal conductivity. This means it will act as a heat sink, helping to keep parts cooler. It will also improve the strength and hold ability of powder composites, and has high load bearing properties.

We generally sell Hexagonal Boron Nitride as a dry powder, but upon request, we can provide it as either a thick paint or thin paste (sprayable), convenient for use with tooling and stamping machined parts.

Sizing Nomenclature: A -5 (Negative Five) micron material will have the majority of its particles smaller than 5 micron, generally having a D50 of 2-3 micron. Think of D50 as an average, although technically, the D50 is considered to be the average particle diameter by mass. (D50 = Mass-median-diameter (MMD)).

In the same way, a -10 (Negative Ten) micron material will have the majority of its particles smaller than 10 micron, generally having a D50 of 4-7 micron.

These powders are not "graded" powders, which means that the D50 will vary somewhat from lot to lot. If you have specifications of sizing which must be met, be sure to communicate that to us.

Premium (Cosmetic) Grade is typically used in the cosmetics industry and has the same general chemistry as Standard Grade (although it does have a slightly higher purity of 99.6% vs 99% for Standard Grade). It is just put through an additional cleaning process to remove any element (very small percentage) of dark particles. It is hygroscopic in nature and must be handled accordingly.

Handling Warning: This material is so fine it is hygroscopic. Thus the particle size will increase due to "attraction" or "clumping" of the particles together, once exposed to air and humidity. Make sure you use the material immediately after opening, package it tightly, and store it in a temperature and humidty controlled environment. Once it begins conglomerating, it will be difficult for you to "unstick" the particles. Therefore, make sure you handle this material appropriately. We can package it in a variety of ways to help you with your particular application.

This material is processed in a diamond laboratory, where the temperature and humidity are controlled. Make sure you take steps to preserve the quality of this powder once you open your package.

Second, since HBN is extremely fine, fluffy material, it can cause respiratory tract infections. So try to minimize inhalation. (No specific intervention is indicated as the compound is not likely to be hazardous by inhalation. However, if symptoms occur, consult a physician.)

For those of you wishing to run a test, you can now order a single lb at a time. However, we will need to know your application. Please specify how you are intending to use this product in the Comment section of the ordering page.

Application Examples:

• Paints and coatings
• Mold and die release agent
• Insulator
• Dry lubricant
• Hot pressed goods such as shapes and composites with high thermal conductivity
• High electrical resistively and machinability.
• Abstract Art
• Ceramic Additive
• Cosmetics & Makeup (Order the Cosmetic Grade)
• Composites and high tech matrixes
• Heat sink, thermal transfer
• Lubricant, Dry
• Mold Release Agent
• Molding into crucibles
• Paints and Coatings
• Bullet Coatings (Dry Lubricant used in a vibratory tumbler, order the -5 micron)
• Gun Barrel Coating (Reduces Friction, May extend life of barrel. Order the -5 micron)

Shipping Information: Due to ISO Quality Control procedures, this material takes 3 business days from the date of order, to the date of shipping. Please keep this in mind when ordering.

Specifications:

• Surface Area: 7.4 m2/g
• Nickname: White Graphite
• Tap Density 0.45
• Grades Available: Standard and Cosmetic Grade
• Physical Data: Similar to Graphite
• Thermal Conductivity160 - 200 W/mk: High
• Typical Packaging: 22lbs per bag, then inside a drum
• Color: White in its dry state
• Purity: 99.0% (Standard Grade); 99.6% (Premium or Cosmetic Grade)
• Structure: Hexagonal
• Bulk Density: 0.4 g/cc3
• Flash Point: Will not burn.
• Fire & Explosion Hazards: None
• Additional Specs Found Here
• Minimum Order: 1 lb, please order below
• Pricing is based per lb.

OK, we're Geeks who love thinking outside the box. That said, here is a letter from one of clients who had a very interesting use of our Hexagonal Boron Nitride powder. He is an artist, and rather than try to explain what he does, or how he does it, we will simply copy a note he wrote about what he is doing with the HBN. His name is Michael Ifland, and links to his art are found at the bottom of this page. Posted below is his note, 11-13-2009:

"Here's a bit more detail since you seem genuinely interested.