Boron Nitride Applications
Function of Boron Nitride
Understanding what Boron Nitride (BN) is, we know its role or contribution in various industrial applications:
- Thermal Stability. It withstands high temperatures without degradation.
- Thermal Conductivity. It effectively conducts heat away.
- Electrical Insulation. It does not conduct electricity.
- Lubrication. It reduces friction, either in dry form or as an additive.
- Non-Wetting Property.
Applications in which Boron Nitride makes a difference by providing a significant competitive advantage over other materials are those in which two or more key functions work together.
Uses of Boron Nitride
Although there is an extensive variety of applications or uses for Boron Nitride, and many more are yet to be discovered, Materially highlights the following:
PVD and Plasma Systems
The utility of Boron Nitride is harnessed in PVD and Plasma systems in two ways: through sintered components and coatings.
Sintered Boron Nitride elements ensure proper operation of the PVD arc, preventing damage to the equipment. Coatings help with the removal of metal residues that accumulate on surfaces.
Learn more about the applications of Boron Nitride in PVD and Plasma systems.
Aluminium Extrusion
The application of Boron Nitride in aluminium extrusion prevents the hot metal from adhering to the press, while enduring temperatures at which most demolding agents and lubricants decompose.
Learn more about Boron Nitride’s role in aluminium extrusion.
Lubricants
The customised tribological solutions and the ability to function at different temperatures offered by Boron Nitride bring greater efficiency and reliability to lubricants.
The various formats in which BN is available (highly concentrated oil dispersion and powder additives) allow for tailored solutions.
Learn more about Boron Nitride applications in lubricants.
Foundry
Boron Nitride has diverse applications in foundry. When used as a high-temperature lubricant, it helps prevent carburization, overloads causing equipment failures, and surface build-up and contamination, among other issues. Additionally, it is non-toxic and environmentally safe.
In contrast to soot and graphite, powdered Boron Nitride is electrically insulating and can be electrostatically charged, allowing efficient application on various surfaces.
Areas, both large and small, can be efficiently coated via spray, brush, or immersion. BN can also be used as an additive to oils and greases.
Learn more about the use of Boron Nitride in foundry.
Polymer Engineering
Boron Nitride additives offer an innovative alternative to the mechanical and electronic sub-assembly sector.
Electronic components, mobile phones, tablets, electric cars… they all need to provide increased reliability and longer lifespans in smaller and more challenging-to-cool spaces.
This new solution brings cost-effective thermal conductivity and electrical insulation, thus addressing the sector’s evolving needs.
Learn more about the role of Boron Nitride in technical polymers.
Welding
Boron Nitride provides two different solutions in welding; BN’s protective coating prevents the adhesion of welding projections, making their quick and easy removal possible, and BN sintered and machined parts enhance the lifespan of welding nozzles, components, and accessories.
The lubricating property and excellent performance at high temperatures set this material apart.
Learn more about the use of Boron Nitride in welding.
Glass Production
The role of Boron Nitride in glass production improves lubrication and demolding, preventing, for example, hot glass and the frit (the black edge pattern on windshields) from sticking or burning onto the mould.
The capacity to perform at high temperatures, improved lubrication, and BN’s non-wetting property provide substantial benefits in glass manufacturing.
Learn more about the utility of Boron Nitride in glass production.
Industrial Furnaces
The use of Boron Nitride in high-temperature environments with a need for electrical insulation provides two significant advantages.
Firstly, it extends the lifespan of heating elements made of carbon, tungsten, or molybdenum, as it is a superior coating to ceramic oxides. Secondly, BN sintered parts offer a much longer lifespan than those composed of aluminium oxide.
Learn more about the utility of Boron Nitride in industrial furnaces.
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