Boron Carbide
Boron carbide is a ceramic compound composed of boron and carbon, with the chemical formula (B4C). It is one of the hardest known materials, ranking just below diamond and cubic boron nitride in terms of hardness. Boron carbide is characterized by its high strength, low density, and excellent chemical resistance.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of boron carbide properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Note: click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | B4C |
| Molar Mass | 55.255 g/mol |
| Density | 2500 kg/m3 |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 450 GPa |
| Compressive Strength | 2800 MPa |
| Fracture Toughness | 3 MPa·m1/2 |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Melting Point | 2350 °C |
| Boiling Point | >3500 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 27 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 1854 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 2.6×10-6 - 5.6×10-6 1/°C |
Note: unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.