Boron carbide, also known as black diamond, has a molecular formula of B₄C, usually grayish black powder. It is one of the three hardest materials known (the other two are diamond, cubic phase boron nitride), used in tanker armor, body armor, and many industrial applications. Its Mohs hardness is 9.3. Hard black shiny crystals. Harder than industrial diamond, but higher than silicon carbide. Compared to most pottery, it is less brittle. It has a large thermal energy neutron capture cross section. Strong chemical resistance. Unaffected by hot hydrogen fluoride and nitric acid. Soluble in molten alkali, insoluble in water and acids. The relative density (d204) is 2.508 to 2.512. Melting point is 2350 ° C. The boiling point is 3500 ° C.

It was discovered as a by-product of metal boride research in the 19th century and was not scientifically studied until the 1930s. Boron carbide can be obtained by reducing boron trioxide with carbon in an electric furnace.

Boron carbide can absorb a large number of neutrons without forming any radioisotopes, so it is an ideal neutron absorber in nuclear power plants, and the neutron absorber mainly controls the rate of nuclear fission. Boron carbide is mainly made into a controllable rod shape in a nuclear reactor, but sometimes it is made into a powder shape because of increasing surface area.

Because of its low density, high strength, high temperature stability and good chemical stability. Used in wear-resistant materials, ceramic reinforcements, especially in light armor, reactor neutron absorbers, etc. In addition, compared with diamond and cubic boron nitride, boron carbide is easier to manufacture and lower in cost, so it is more widely used. It can replace expensive diamond in some places and is commonly used in grinding, grinding, drilling, and other applications.

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