HBN: Use this page to order 1lb quantities of Hexagonal Boron Nitride powder. You may choose from a variety of sizes: -5 or -10 micron (our largest particle size of 6-7 micron), as well as a very fine 0.5 to 1.0 micron powder.
Lead Time: 1-3 business days plus transit time.
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. HBN powder is platelet shaped and of single crystal - "Monocrystalline", and very soft. (Polycrystalline Boron Nitride would be Wurtzite Boron Nitride - and is very hard).
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 (spray able), convenient for use with tooling and stamping machined parts. You may order from four different pastes on this page.
For those of you mixing your own formulation, note that HBN is always measured by weight, not volume. Therefore, a 12% HBN by weight is ~1 lb of HBN per gallon of water."
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.
Cosmetic grade HBN is only available in the -10 micron size.
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 humidity 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.)
Application Examples:
- 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.
- Ceramic Additive
- Cosmetics & Makeup (Order the Cosmetic Grade -10 micron)
- Composites and high tech matrixes
- Heat sink, thermal transfer
- 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, dissipates heat, may extend life of barrel. Order the -5 or -10 micron)
- Coatings In General: The HBN powder will work at ~1350 degrees C (2462 F) as a max temperature. In most cases, a -10 powder will be more stable at high temperatures, and mixes much better into a coating than other sizes. For premade HBN coatings/pastes, see this page for ordering.
Shipping Information: -1 or 2 lb orders will generally ship in 24 hours, packaged in a plastic container. Other quanties will have a 3 day lead time.
Specifications:
- Surface Area: 7.4 m2/g
- Nickname: White Graphite
- Tap Density 0.45
- Grades Available: Standard and Cosmetic Grade
- HBN powder is platelet shaped and of single crystal - "Monocrystalline", and very soft.
- Physical Data: Similar to Graphite
- Thermal Conductivity160 - 200 W/mk: High: HBN powder will work at ~1350 degrees C as a max temperature. Thermal conductivity is measured as Watts per Meter- K.
- Typical Packaging: 10 kg bags (22 lbs), then four bags stacked inside a fiber drum (88 lbs per drum)
- 1 Pound Packaging: 1 lb per plastic bag. (Plastic Jars are used only for -5 micron size)
- 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
- Pricing is based per pound, 1 lb is the minimum order
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