Skip to main content

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSE,volume 185))

Abstract

Boron carbide has a wide phase homogeneity range: B4.0C-B10.5C. Direct synthesis from the elements is possible, but useless. Thin solid films are deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), starting from mixtures of boron halides (BCl3, BBr3) — methane — hydrogen excess. Plasma assisted CVD, at low temperature (400–600°C), gives very hard amorphous films, with a variable carbon content (max. hardness 5000 kg/mm2 for 38 at .C %) ; diborane may be used instead of boron halides. Boron carbide fibers are obtained i) by CVD on boron fibers or ii) by reaction of C.V. Deposited boron onto carbon fiber; fibers are used to reinforce light metallic matrices. Single crystals are obtained by CVD or by zone melting of a B4C rod. Whiskers or platelets are prepared by CVD (starting from CCl4-BCl3-H2 mixtures). Fine, pure, with a variable C content, narrow sized thus promising, powders are obtained by treating BCl3/B2H6-CH4-H2 mixtures in a plasma or laser. Boron carbide is prepared at low temperature i) by carbothermal reduction of B2O3, ii) or by reaction of BCl3-CCl4 in an organic solvent in the presence of sodium. Cracking of boron containing organic precursors is possible, but still expensive.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Lipp, A. (1965–1966) ‘Boron carbide. Production, properties, application’, Techn. Rundschau, 14, 28, 33; 7; 47 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Beauvy, M. and Thévenot, F. (1979) ‘Le carbure de bore: matériau industriel performant, 2ème partie: applications industrielles du carbure de bore’, Ind. céramique, 734 (12), 811–814.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Schwetz, K.A., Reinmuth, K. and Lipp, A. (1981) ‘Herstellung und industrielle Anwendung refraktâre Borverbindugen’, Radex Rundschau, 3, 568–585.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Schwetz, K.A. and Lipp, A. (1985) ‘Boron carbide, boron nitride, and metal bondes’, Ullmann’s Encycl. Indust. Chem., A4, 295–307.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Thévenot F. (1986) ‘Quelques applications actuelles des borures’, Silicates indus. 51 (12), 17–22.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Reinmuth, K., Lipp, A., Knoch, H. and Schwetz, K.A. (1984) ‘Borhaltige keramische neutronenabsorberwerkstoffe’, J. Nucl. Mater., 124, 175–184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bouchacourt, M. and Thévenot, F. (1985) ‘The correlation between the thermoelectric properties and stoechiometry in the boron carbide phase B4C-B10.5C’, J. Mater. Sci., 20, 1237–1247.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bouchacourt, M. and Thévenot, F. (1981)’Analytical investigations in the B-C system’, J. less comm. Met., 82, 219–226.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bouchacourt, M. (1982) ‘Etudes sur la phase carbure de bore - Corrélations propriétés-composition’, Thèse d’état, INPG, Ecole des Mines de Saint-Etienne (F).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Bouchacourt, M. and Thévenot, F. (1981)’The properties and structure of the boron carbide phase’, J. less comm. Met., 82, 227–235.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Conard, J., Bouchacourt, M., Thévenot, F. and Hermann, G. (1986) ‘13C aand 11B N.M.R. investigations in the boron carbide phase homogeneity range: a model of solid solution’, J. less comm Met., 117, 51–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Thévenot, F. (1988) ‘Sintering of boron carbide and boron carbide-silicon carbide two-phase materials and their properties’, J. nucl. Mater., 152, 154–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Cueilleron, J. and Thévenot, F. (1977) ‘Chemical properties of Boron’, in V.I. Matkovich (ed.), Boron and refractory bondes, Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, pp. 203–213.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Benton, S.T. and Masters, D.R. (1975) ‘Boron carbide articles’, US Patent 3,914, 371.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Lifshits, E.V. Ostapenko, I.T., Postogvard, G.I., Snezhko, I.A. and Shevyakova, E.P. (1986), ‘Formation of finely dispersed powders of crystalline boron carbide during synthesis from elements’, Izv. Akad. Nauk. SSSR, Neorg. Mater., 22 (11), 1835–1838.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Bouchacourt, M., Brodhag, C. and Thévenot, F. (1981) ‘The hot pressing of boron and boron rich compounds: B6O, B10.5C-B4C’, Sci. Ceram, 11, 231–236.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Brodhag, C., Bouchacourt, M. and Thévenot, F. (1983) ‘Comparison of the hot pressing kinetics of boron, boron suboxide B6O and boron carbides’, in P. Vincenzini (ed.), Materials Science Monographs, 16. Ceramic powders, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 881–890.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Bougoin, M. (1985) ‘Frittage sans charge du carbure de bore et de composites carbure de bore-carbure de silicium. Propriétés mécaniques’, thesis, Ecole des Mines de Saint-Etienne (F).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Treutler, C.P.O., Dienel, G., and Hohmuth, K. (1981) ‘The decrease of the electrical sheet resistance of boron and the formation of boron carbide by ion implantation of C+ ions into boron and subsequent annealing’, J. less comm Met., 80, 1–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Cochran, A.A. and Stephenson J.B. (1970)’Boron and boron carbide coatings by vapor deposition’, Metallurgical Trans., 1, 2875–2880.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. ibid. J. Metals, 22, 37–42.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ploog, K.. (1973) ‘Preparation of a rhombohedral boron carbide with the composition B13C2’, J. less comm. Met., 31, 177–180.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Ploog, K.. (1974) ‘Composition and structure of boron carbides prepared by CVD’, J. cryst. growth, 24–25, 197–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Lartigue, S. (1986), ‘Elaboration par CVD et caractérisation de dépôts de carbure de bore. Application au revêtement de l’acier’, thesis, INP Grenoble (F).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lartigue, S., Cazajous, D. and Male, G. (1986)’Dépôts chimiques en phase vapeur de carbure de bore sur carbure de tungstène fritté et sur acier’, J. Phys., Colloque Cl, suppl. n° 2, 47, C1–197–202.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Rey, J. (1988) Dépôt par LPCVD de carbures de bore sur cermets WC-Co’, thesis, Limoges (F).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Amberger, E., Druminski, M. and Ploog, K. (1971) ‘Das B-C System im kinetischen Bildungsbereich: pyrolytische Bildung kohlenstoffreicher B-C Phasen’, J. less comm. Met., 23, 43–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Ploog, K. (1974) ‘Gasphasenabscheidung von binären Bor-Kohlenstoff -Phasen bei Substrattemperaturen von 900 bis 1800°C’, J. less comm. Met., 35, 131–145.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Bernard, C., Deniel, Y., Jacquot, A., Vay, P. and Ducarroir, M. (1975) ‘Détermination des équilibres chimiques complexes dans les systèmes polyphasés. I méthode de traitement’, J. less comm. Met., 40, 165–171.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Ducarroir, M., and Bernard, C. (1975) ’ Thermodynamic domains of the various solid deposits in the B-C-H-Cl vapor system’, Proc. Chemical Vapor Deposition Fifth Intern. Conf. pp. 72–83.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Ducarroir, M. and Bernard, C. (1976), ‘Thermodynamic domains of the various solid deposits in the B-C-H-Cl vapor system’, J. Electrochem. Soc., 123, 136–140.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Lartigue, S. and Male, G. (1988) ‘Contribution to the study of tetragonal compounds in the boron carbon system’, J. Mater. Sci. lett., 7, 153–156.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Vandenbuicke, L. (1977), ‘Influence de la convection sur la solidification dirigée d’alliages binaires et sur les dépôts chimiques en phase vapeur du bore et du carbure de bore’, Thesis, Orléans (F).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Vandenbuicke, L., Herbin, R. Basutcu, M. and Barrandon, J.N. (1981) ‘Etude expérimentale du dépôt chimique du carbure de bore à partir de mélanges trichlorure de bore, méthane et hydrogène’, J. less comm. Met., 80, 7–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Vandenbulcke, L., Vuillard, G. (1981), ‘Composition and structural changes of boron carbides deposited by chemical vapor deposition under various conditions of temperature and supersaturation’, J. less comm Met., 82, 49–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Vandenbulcke, L. (1983) “Theoretical influence of the deposition conditions on the uniformity of boron carbide coatings’, Proc. 4th europ. Conf. on CVD, J. Bloem, G. Verspui and L.R. Wolff (eds.), Philips, Eindhoven, 44–50.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Vandenbulcke, L. (1985) ‘Theoretical and experimental studies on the chemical vapor deposition of boron carbide’, Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Dev., 24, 568–575.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Jansson, U.and Carlsson, J.O. (1985) ‘Chemical vapor deposition of boron carbides in the temperature range 1300–1500K and at a reduced pressure’, Thin solid Films, 124, 101–107.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Rebenne, H. and Pollard, R. (1987)’ Theoretical analysis of chemical vapor deposition of ceramics in an impinging jet reactor’, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 70, 907–918.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Jansson, U., Carlsson, J.O., Stridh, B.,Sderberg, S. and Olsson, M. ‘CVD of boron carbides. 1. Phase and chemical composition’, Thin solid films, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Olsson, M.Sderberg, S., Stridh, B., Jansson, U. and Carlsson, J.O. ‘CVD of boron carbides. 2. Morphology and unicrostructure’, Thin solid films, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Cholet, V., Herbin, P. and Vandenbulcke, L. (1987) ‘CVD of boron carbide from BBr3-CH4–H2 mixtures into a microwave plasma’, Proc. 9th intern. symp. Boron, Bondes and related Compounds, Duisburg (FRG), Sept. 21–25, pp. 423–424.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Ploog, K. (1974) ‘Gasphasenabscheidung von binären Bor-Kohlenstoffphasen bei Substrattemperaturen von 900 bis 1900°C. I Tetragonales und orthorhombisches Borcarbid’, J. less. comm. Met., 35, 115–130.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Ploog, K. and Druminski (1974) ‘Strukturchemische Characterisierung eines durch Gasphasenabscheidung darstellbaren orthorhombischen Borcarbids der Zuzammensetzung B8C’, Kristall und Technik, 9, 25–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Campbell, A.N., Mullendore, A.W., Tallant, D.R. and Wood, C. (1987) ‘Low-carbon carbides produced by CVD’, Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 97, 113–118.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Kevill, D.N., Rissmann, T.J., Brewe, D. and Wood, C. (1986) ‘Growth of crystals of several boron carbon compositions by chemical vapor deposition’, J. cryst. growth, 74, 210–216.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Kevill, D.N., Rissmann, T.J., Brewe, D. and Wood, C. (1986) ‘Preparation of boron-carbon compounds, including crystalline B2C material by chemical vapor deposition’, J. less comm. Met., 117, 421–425.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Veprek, S. and Jurcik-Rajman, M. (1985) ‘Plasma induced deposition of amorphous boron carbide’, Symp. Proc.- Int. Symp. Plasma Chem. 7th, 1, 90–94.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Toyoda, H., Sugai, H., Isozumi, T. and Okuda, T. (1987) ‘Formation of pure-boron and boron-carbon alloys by a toroidal glow discharge’, in ibid [42], 409–410.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Bouchacourt, M. and Thévenot, F. (1978) ‘Etudes sur le carbure de bore. III Domaine d’existence de la phase carbure de bore’, J. less comm. Met., 59, 139–152.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Bouchacourt, M. and Thévenot, F. (1979) ‘The melting of boron carbide and the homogeneity range of the boron carbide phase’, J. less comm. Met., 67, 327–331.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Eschnauer, H. and Kilp, F. (1977) ‘Harstoffe und ihre Eigenschaften zum Plasmaspritzen’, D.V.S., Ber. 47, 44–50.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Thébault, J., Pailler, R., Bontemps-Moley, G., Bourdeau, M. and Naslain, R. (1976) ‘Chemical compatibility in boron fiber-titanium composite materials’, J. less comm. Met., 47, 221–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Naslain, R. Pailler, R. and Hagenmuller, P. (1982) ‘Solid-state reactions in the processing and use of advanced inorganic composite materials’, Mater. Sci. Monogr., 10, 766–814.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Park, Y.H., Narayen, D., Schmerling, M. and Marcus, H.L. (1984) ‘Fatigue crack growth behaviour of Ti-6A1–4V metal matrix/continuous SiC and B4C/B fibre composites’, J. Mater. Sci., 19, 2239–2245.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Smith, W.D. (1977) ‘Boron carbide fibers from carbon fibers’ in ibid [13], pp. 541–551.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Newkirk, L.R., Riley, R.E., Sheinberg, H., Valencia, F.A., Wallace, T.C. (1979) ‘Preparation of fiber reinforced-titanium diboride and boron carbide composite bodies’, Report, LA-UR-79–969, CONF-791017–3, 11 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Walker, B.E.Jr, Rice, R.W., Becher, P.F., Bender, B.A. and Coblenz, W.S. (1983) ‘Preparation and properties of monolithic and composite ceramics produced by polymer pyrolysis’, Ceram. Bull., 62, 916–923.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Mierzejewska, S. and Niemyski, T. (1965) ‘Preparation of crystalline boron carbide by vapour phase reaction’, J. less comm. Met., 8, 368–374.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Sugaya, T. and Watanabe, O. (1972) ‘Morphology of boron carbide single crystals’, J. less comm. Met., 26, 25–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Borchert, W. and Born, E. (1969) ‘Uber Eigenschaften von zonengeschmolzenem Borcarbid’, Krist. und Tech., 4, 293–301.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Mullendore, A.W. (1986) ‘Chemical vapor deposition of boron-based refractory solids’, in D. Emin. T. Aselage, C.L. Beckel, I.A. Howard and C. Wood (eds), Boron-rich solids, ALP, Conf. Proc. 140, Am. Inst. Physics, New York, pp. 41–50.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Mackinnon, I.D.R. and Smith, K.L. (1987) ‘Chemical vapor deposited boron carbide: growth by a vapor-liquid-solid process’, Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 97, 127–132.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Weaver, S.C., Nixdorf, R.D. and Vaughan, G. (1987) ‘Silicon carbide and boron carbide platelets and fibers’ in J.G. Morse (ed.), Ind.-Univ. Adv. Mater. Conf., Proc. Conf. TMS Annu. Meet., Metall. Soc. pub., Warrendale, Pa., pp. 305–315.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Gatti, A., Mancuso, C., Feingold, E. and Mehan, R., (1967) ‘Growth and characterization of boron carbide whiskers’, J. Phys. Chem. Sol., Suppl. N° 1, 317–323.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Ahmad, I. and Capsimalis, G.P. (1969) ‘Formation of filamentary single crystals of B, CaB6, B4C and B7O, in J.W. Mitchell (ed.), Reactivity of solids, Wiley, Interscience Pub., New York, pp. 477–485.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Motoc, C. and Constantinescu, F. (1973) ‘Growth and thermal etching of boron carbide’, J. cryst. growth, 18, 29–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Bosch, F.M. (1962) ‘Essai de synthèse du carbure et du nitrure de bore’, Silicates indus., 27, 587–590.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Wickens, A.J. (1976) ‘Formation of boron carbide in a high-intensity plasma“, Chem. Ind. ( London ), 7, 316–317.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Becherescu, D., Marx, F. and Lazau, I. (1985) ‘Use of plasma in boron carbide synthesis’, Mater. Constr. (Bucharest), 15 (2), 92–94.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Vogt, G.J., Hollabaugh, C.M., Hull, D.E., Newkirk, L.R. and Petrovic, J.J. (1984) ‘Novel r.f. plasma system for the synthesis of ultrafine silicon carbide and silicon nitride (Si3N4)’ Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 30, 283–289.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Cruiziat, B. (1970) ‘Réalisation de quelques réactions chimiques à l’aide d’un chalumeau à plasma inductif’, Thesis, Univ. Lyon (F).

    Google Scholar 

  73. Mac Kinnon, I.M. and Wickens, A.J. (1973) ‘The preparation of boron carbide using a radio frequency plasma’, Chem. Ind. ( London ), 800.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Mac Kinnon, I.M. and Reuben, B.G. (1975) ‘The synthesis of boron carbide in a r.f. plasma’, J. Electrochem. Soc., 122, 806–811.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Mac Kinnon, I.M., Hamblyn, S.M.L. and Reuben, B.G. (1977) ‘Mechanism of formation of boron and boron carbide by reduction of boron trichloride in an r.f. plasma’, I.C.P. Inf. Newsl., 3, 311–312.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. ibid in P. Fauchais (ed.), Comm. Symp. Int. Chim. Plasmas, 3rd, Paper S.4.3, Univ. Limoges (F), 8 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Knudsen, A.K. and Langhoff, C.A. (1986) ‘Submicron-sized boron carbide powders’, PCT Int. Appl. WO 86 04,524, US Appl. 700, 841, 12 Feb 1985, 37 p.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Knudsen, A.K. (1987) ‘Laser-driven synthesis and densification of ultrafine boron carbide powders’, Adv. Ceram., 21, 237–247.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Ramsay, J.D.F. and Avery, R.G. (1977) ‘Improvments in or relating to the preparation of carbide powders’, Brit. Pat. 1, 479, 727, 2 p.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Dufek, G., Wruss, W., Vendl, A. and Kieffer, R. (1976) ‘Ein Beitrag zur Herstellung von feinkörnigem Borkarbid’, Plansee. Pulvermet., 24, 280–283.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Harris, G.L. and Parsons, D.S. (1975), Boron carbide from water-alcohol solution of carbon source’, U.S. Pat. 3,885, 022.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Wada, H., Kuroda, K. and Kato, C. (1986) ‘Preparation of boron nitride/boron carbide ceramics by pyrolysis of boric acid-glycerin condensation product’, Mater. Sci. Res., 20, 179–185.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Koshida, R., Kosakabashi, H. and Ogasawara T. (1987) Manufacture of highly pure boron carbide powders for sintered materials’, Jpn. Kokai JP 62,202, 811.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Tanemoto, H., and Kubo, H. (1987) ‘Manufacture of boron carbide powder’, Jpn. Kokai JP 62,182, 110.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Kouvetakis, J., Kaner, R.B., Sattler, M.L. and Bartlett, N. (1986) ‘A novel graphite-like material of composition BC3 and nitrogen-carbon graphites’, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 24, 1758–1759.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Ritter, J.J. (1987) ‘A low temperature chemical process for precursors to bonde and carbide ceramic powders’, Adv. Ceram., 21, 21–31.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Ritter, J.J. (1986) ‘Refractory bondes and carbides’, USP 4,606, 902.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Wada, H., Ito, S., Kuroda, K. and Kato, C. (1985) ‘The synthesis of boron nitride and boron carbide by pyrolysis of a boric acid/1,2,3-propanetriol condensation product’, Chem. Lett., 6, 691–692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Mirabelli, M.G.L. and Sneddon, L.G. (1988) ‘Synthesis of boron carbide via poly (vinylpentaborane) precursors’, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 110, 3305–3307.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Rees, W.S. Jr and Seyferth, D. (1988) ‘High-yield synthesis of boron carbide (B4C)/boron nitride ceramic materials by pyrolysis of polymeric Lewis base adducts of decaborane’, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 71, C194 - C196.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Wynne, K.J. and Rice, R.W. (1984) ‘Ceramics via polymer pyrolysis’, Ann. Rev. Mater. Sci., 14, 297–334.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Thevenot, F. (1990). Laboratory Methods for the Preparation of Boron Carbides. In: Freer, R. (eds) The Physics and Chemistry of Carbides, Nitrides and Borides. NATO ASI Series, vol 185. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2101-6_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2101-6_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7444-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2101-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics