Boron Carbide (B4C)

Boron carbide (B4C) is one of the hardest synthetic materials known to man; inferior to only cubic boron nitride (cBN) and diamond. This imparts exceptional wear- and abrasion-resistant properties, enabling manufacturers to rise to unique challenges of some of the most demanding application areas on earth.

Boron Carbide: Grades, Formats & Bonding Types

Saint-Gobain is one of the foremost boron carbide suppliers worldwide. Our B4C solutions are available exclusively in the hot-pressed and sintered condition, which yields an extremely high-performance boron carbide ceramic with nominal densities of 2.50 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) and a Knoop hardness value of 2800 kilograms per millimeter squared (kg/mm2). Owing to these exceptional mechanical properties, boron carbide is often utilized in industries requiring high wear resistance and fracture toughness.

Saint-Gobain, with unrivaled experience in the generation of fine ceramics for a limitless range of market sectors, routinely supplies high-purity boron carbide for a range of challenging market sectors. Examples include:

  • Armor Coatings
  • Neutron Shielding
  • Sandblasting
  • Water Jet Cutting
Boron Carbide Products

 Saint-Gobain supplies boron carbide-based technical ceramics and refractories under the Norbide® product range, satisfying the needs of customers in a range of end-use environments.  

Boron Carbide Components
Boron Carbide Features
  • High Hardness
  • High Chemical Resistance
  • Nuclear Properties
  • Low Density
  • Insolubility
  • High Boiling Point
  • High Melting Point