What is the difference between boron carbide and boron oxide?
There are significant differences between boron carbide (B ₄ C) and boron oxide (B ₂ O3) in multiple aspects. The following is a detailed comparative analysis:
1、 Chemical Composition and Structure
Boron carbide:
Molecular formula: B ₄ C
Composed of boron and carbon elements, it is an inorganic compound.
It usually exists in the form of gray black micro powder, also known as black diamond.
Boron oxide:
Chemical formula: B ₂ O ∝
Composed of boron and oxygen elements, it is also a type of inorganic compound.
It is usually a white waxy solid, existing in an amorphous state, and sometimes can also form crystals.
2、 Physical properties
Boron carbide:
High hardness, it is one of the three hardest materials known (the other two being diamond and cubic boron nitride), with a hardness higher than that of silicon carbide.
Strength high, high density, high melting point.
High temperature resistance, acid and alkali corrosion resistance, good chemical stability.
It has good stability under neutron irradiation and does not form radioactive isotopes.
Boron oxide:
Hard and brittle in texture, with a smooth surface.
It is thermally stable and not reduced by carbon during white heat, but can be reduced to monomeric boron by alkali metals, magnesium, aluminum, etc.
At around 600 ℃, it becomes a highly viscous liquid.
Soluble in acid, ethanol, and hot water, slightly soluble in cold water.
