materials

Boron Nitride

Boron Nitride is a versatile material that boasts a high thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, and high thermal shock resistance, while maintaining both low density and facile machinability.

8.0

Relative Cost of Material

3.0

Machining Degree of Difficulty

Summary

Boron Nitride is a versatile material that boasts a high thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, and high thermal shock resistance, while maintaining both low density and facile machinability. It is corrosion resistant, and has a relatively high maximum working heat. While Boron Nitride has shares a number of physical characteristics with both Alumina and Aluminum Nitride, its structure and density make it significantly easier to machine, making it possible to machine complex geometries while still maintaining tight tolerances.

Mindrum Precision specializes in tight tolerance work in ceramics, glass, and metals, and we are a trusted leader in Boron Nitride machining. Not unlike the case with Macor, the main limiting factor when fabricating components out of BN is the skill of the machinists in working with the material, and we have a decades-long track record of producing some of the tightest tolerance Boron Nitride components on the market. Click here for our contact information or to request a quote, and we will show you why more companies come to us for the parts that matter most.

Application

Boron nitride is used a wide variety of applications, including ion propulsion components, atomization/laser nozzles, nuclear shielding, and high-temperature insulators and spacers. Machined BN components are frequently used in both the semiconductor and aerospace/defense industries, as well as in medical and research applications as well.  

While basic shapes and low-tolerance components are less challenging in BN than in many other ceramics, machining tight tolerance or complex components can be extremely challenging for machining companies that do not specialize in this type of fabrication. At Mindrum Precision, we have over sixty years of precision machining of technical ceramics, and we bring a superior level of precision technology to bear on your project that allows us to produce the results you need in all materials that we work with, and Boron Nitride is no exception. Contact us today, and we look forward to bringing your design off of the drawing board and into reality.

Properties

Material PropertyBoron Nitride
Density (g/cm^3)1.9 - 2.1
Hardness (Knoop)25-205
Tensile Strength (MPa)83
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)65
Flexural Strength (MPa)77
Compressive Strength (MPa)310
Poisson's Ratio0.05
Fracture Toughness (MPa*m^.5)2.6
Dielectric Strength (ac-kV/mm)37.4
Dielectric Constant (@1MHz)4.08
Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm @25°C)> 1E14
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (1 x 10^-6/°C)1.0 - 4.1
Thermal Conductivity (W/m K)20 - 27
Specific Heat (J/kg*K)585
Shock Resistance (°C Differential)1500
Maximum Working Temperature (°C)985
*Note: Properties vary by manufacturer. The above information should be used for general reference purposes only.

related Materials

  • Alumina - Harder, more corrosion resistant ceramic with similar CTE
  • Macor - Easily machinable ceramic with similar electrical resistivity
  • Aluminum Nitride - Harder, denser ceramic with similar electrical resistivity

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