Boron Carbide is a high performance abrasive material with chemical and physical properties similar to diamond (chemical resistance and hardness). It is so hard that is has been nicknamed "Black Diamond", and has become one of the leading grinding materials. Ceramic grades as well as nuclear grades for neutron absorption are available.
Typical Technical data
| •Appearance (dry state): | Color | Black | |||
| •Chemical composition: | Chemical formula: | B4C Application | |||
| Grade | AG (Abrasive) | CG (Ceramic) | RG (Refractory) | NG (Nuclear) | |
| B + C min. | 98 | 99 | 94 | 98 | |
| B (Boron) min. | 76 | 77 | 75 | 76 | |
| C (Carbon) max. | 23 | 22.5 | 24 | 24 | |
| B2O3 | 0.50 | 0.10 | 1.0 | 0.1 | |
| Fe (Iron) max. | 0.2 | 0.10 | 0.5 | 0.1 | |
| Si (Silicon) | - | 0.01 | 0.3 | 0.01 | |
| N (Nitrogen) | - | 0.01 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |
| B + C min. | 98 | 99 | 94 | 98 | |
| Isotope B10 (atomic weight) | 19.5-21.5% | ||||
| •Physical data: | Knoop hardness (0.1) | 3000 | |||
| Mohs hardness | < 9.5 Note: Diamond’s Mohs hardness is 10 | ||||
| Specific gravity: | 2.51 | ||||
| Melting point: | 2723 oF | ||||
| Structure: | Monocrystalline | ||||
Availability of particle sizes
Boron carbide grit sizes correspond to the specifications of the Federation of European Producers of Abrasive Products (FEPA):
| F100 (150/106 um) | F220 (75/45 um) | F360 (40/12 um) | F800 (14/2 um) |
| F120 (125/90 um) | F240 (70/28 um) | F400 (32/8 um) | F1000 (10/1 um) |
| F150 (106/63 um) | F280 (59/22 um) | F500 (25/5 um) | F1200 (7/1 um) |
| F180 (90/53 um) | F320 (49/16.5 um) | F600 (19/3 um) | F1500 (<5 um) |
Other sizes in FEPA and USA Mesh System are available on request: -10, -15, -20 µ Standard packaging in 100 lb (30 gal.) fiber drums Custom packaging is available on request.
Common Nuclear Grades:
B10 NOTE: The Isotope B10 Content (atomic weight) of our nuclear grade Boron Carbide powders will fall between 19.5-21.5%
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|
UKA Grade |
Average Particle Size |
Typical Application | Notes |
| 1. | NG112M | 112 micron | Additive to concrete | B<75% |
| 2. | NG36L | 36 micron | B<70% | |
| 3. | NG24H | 24 micron |
Nuclear Shielding Panels, Reaction Control Rods, Etc. |
B>76% |
| 4. | NG24HE | 24 micron | B>76% + Enhanced Heat Transfer Capability | |
| 5. | NG100H | 100 micron | B>76% | |
| 6. | NG100HE | 100 micron | B>76% + Enhanced Heat Transfer Capability | |
| 7. | NG6H | 6 micron | B>76% | |
| 8. | NG6HE | 6 micron | B>76% + Enhanced Heat Transfer Capability |
