Description
Cubic Boron Nitride (BN) Nanopowder/Nanoparticles
Purity: 99.5% | Average Particle Size: < 250 nm | Crystal Form: Cubic (β-BN or c-BN)
Product Overview
Cubic Boron Nitride (c-BN), also known as β-BN, possesses a crystal structure analogous to diamond. While thermodynamically less stable than its hexagonal form, the cubic form offers extreme hardness, exceptional thermal conductivity, and chemical robustness—making it ideal for advanced industrial and electronic applications.
Its sphalerite crystal structure (similar to diamond) ensures high performance under extreme conditions. Despite being metastable, the conversion rate to h-BN is negligible at room temperature.
Technical Properties
Property | Value |
---|---|
Compound Formula | BN |
Molecular Weight | 24.82 g/mol |
Appearance | Black solid in various forms |
Melting Point | 2973 °C |
Boiling Point | N/A |
Density | 3.45 g/cm³ (c-BN) |
Solubility in Water | Insoluble |
Refractive Index | 1.8 (h-BN); 2.1 (c-BN) |
Electrical Resistivity | 13–15 × 10⁻⁸ Ω·m |
Poisson’s Ratio | 0.11 |
Specific Heat | 840–1610 J/kg·K |
Thermal Conductivity | 29–96 W/m·K |
Thermal Expansion Coeff. | 0.54–18 µm/m·K |
Young’s Modulus | 14–60 GPa |
Preparation
Cubic boron nitride is synthesized using high-pressure, high-temperature techniques similar to diamond production. Conversion from hexagonal to cubic form typically occurs at 5–18 GPa and 1730–3230 °C. Catalysts such as Li, K, Mg, or their nitrides can significantly reduce these thresholds. Alternative techniques include:
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Shock wave synthesis for producing heterodiamond (B-C-N compounds)
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Low-pressure deposition via plasma-enhanced CVD, ion beam deposition, and reactive sputtering
These methods aim to suppress h-BN phase growth and stabilize the cubic structure.
Applications
Cubic Boron Nitride is extensively used in abrasive and cutting tool industries due to its hardness and thermal stability:
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Machining steel & high-temperature alloys: PCBN abrasives resist solubility in Fe/Ni environments
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Tool bits & grinding wheels: Excellent wear resistance
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Heat spreaders: Combines high thermal conductivity with electrical insulation
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X-ray membranes: Thin, strong, and low-absorption material
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Electronics: Used in thermally conductive but electrically insulating substrates
Commercial brands include Borazon, Elbor, and Cubonite.