Boron carbide

This article is about B4C. For other boron carbides, see Boron carbides.
Boron carbide
Boron carbide
Names
IUPAC name
Boron carbide
Other names
Tetrabor
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.031.907 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/CB4/c2-1-3(2)5(1)4(1)2 checkY
    Key: INAHAJYZKVIDIZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/CB4/c2-1-3(2)5(1)4(1)2
    Key: INAHAJYZKVIDIZ-UHFFFAOYAS
  • B12B3B4B1C234
Properties
B4C
Molar mass 55.255 g/mol
Appearance dark gray or black powder, odorless
Density 2.50 g/cm3, solid.[1]
Melting point 2,350 °C (4,260 °F; 2,620 K)[1]
Boiling point >3500 °C[1]
insoluble
Structure
Rhombohedral
Hazards
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Boron nitride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Boron carbide (chemical formula approximately B4C) is an extremely hard boron–carbon ceramic, a covalent material used in tank armor, bulletproof vests, engine sabotage powders,[2] as well as numerous industrial applications. With a Vickers hardness of >30 GPa, it is one of the hardest known materials, behind cubic boron nitride and diamond.[3]

  1. ^ a b c Haynes, William M., ed. (2016). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (97th ed.). CRC Press. p. 4.52. ISBN 9781498754293.
  2. ^ Gray, Theodore (2012-04-03). The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. ISBN 9781579128951. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Rutgers working on body armor". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, N.J. August 11, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-12. ... boron carbide is the third-hardest material on earth.