Once reserved for specialized uses, boron nitride (chemical formula BN) is becoming more prevalent in industrial applications. That’s because it combines unique properties that few materials can match:
- High thermal conductivity
- Robust electrical insulation
- Wear and chemical resistance
- Nontoxic
- High temperature lubricity and wettability
As manufacturers push for lighter, stronger, and more efficient products, boron nitride is an advanced material that can help meet these performance demands. And like many boron-based innovations, its success depends on refined borates.
What is boron nitride?
Boron nitride is a synthetic ceramic material made of boron and nitrogen atoms. It exists in several forms, but the two most common are:
- Hexagonal BN (h-BN): Also called “white graphite,” this form is soft, lubricious, and provides exceptional electrical insulation. It’s often used as a lubricant, mold release agent, and thermal filler.
- Cubic BN (c-BN): Second only to diamonds in terms of hardness, cubic BN does not react with ferrous metals, making it ideal for cutting tools and abrasives.
Where is boron nitride used?
Several applications are accelerating global demand for boron nitride—industries ranging from electric vehicles (EVs) to metallurgy to aerospace.
Compositive ceramics
h-BN is used to make BN/TiB2 two component evaporation boat, which is engineered for high efficiency and performance in applications, such as electronics, display, and packaging. This is because boron nitride has excellent temperature and corrosion resistance properties.
Cutting tools and abrasives
While diamonds are harder, cubic boron nitride’s chemical stability with ferrous metals makes it suitable for:
- Cutting inserts or machining hardened steels and nickel alloys
- Higher-performance grinding wheels and lapping compounds than those with traditional abrasives such as alumina (Al2O3) or silicon carbide (SiC)
- Coatings that extend tool life and reduce wear
Metals manufacturing
Boron nitride is an effective release agent that enables fast aluminum extrusion without generating smoke, preventing billets from sticking or seizing. The result is improved extrusion quality with less downtime for equipment maintenance.
Read more about how boron nitride improves aluminum extrusion
Electronics
As devices get smaller, thinner, and more powerful, managing heat while preventing electrical failure is critical. Boron nitride’s thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties make it valuable for:
- Substrates and insulators in high-power electronics
- Fillers in polymers and adhesives for improved heat dissipation
Energy and EVs
Boron nitride’s ability to manage heat and withstand high-stress environments allows it to be used in:
- Heat spreaders and insulation components in EV batteries
- Power inverters for solar and wind energy systems
- Polymer composites that improve efficiency and safety
Learn more about how borates improve batteries
Aerospace and defense
The strength-to-weight ratio and radiation shielding of boron nitride nanotubes are suitable for:
- Lightweight structural components
- Protective barriers against cosmic radiation
- Thermal-resistant coatings for jet engines
Learn more about borates for advanced ceramics
Cosmetics
h-BN is an important component in cosmetics for:
- Better spreadability
- High oil absorption
- Improved SPF and feel for users
Producing boron nitride with refined borates
There are two typical ways to produce h-BN:
- Boric acid or boric oxide reacting with melamine at temperature of 1600 to 2100°C
- Borax pentahydrate or anhydrous borax reacting with ammonium chloride, at a temperature of around 1000°C
The first way is more popular because of its better quality and higher yield.
The purity of a boron source for making boron nitride is essential. If impurities are present in the borates, that can negatively impact:
- Thermal conductivity
- Hardness
- Electrical insulation
In contrast, a refined borate product provides a reliable, high-purity boron source. That ensures that boron nitride producers achieve efficient reactions, high yields, and a finished product that delivers on high-performance standards.
U.S. Borax: Technical support for advanced materials
Boron nitride is just one example of how boron-based compounds are driving innovation across industries.
Advanced materials depend on precision, consistency, and purity. U.S. Borax provides manufacturers with formulation assistance, resources, and technical expertise for success.
Have questions about boron nitride in your manufacturing process? Please contact our technical team.
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