Boron Nitride, hexagonal

Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) has a very good thermal conductivity, good electric insulation, and also a good thermal shock resistance. These properties make it suitable for use in ceramic materials, coming from - for example - a hot pressing process. The material withstands temperatures of up to 2,000°C in non-oxidizing atmospheres and up to approximately 750°C in oxidizing atmospheres. Hexagonal Boron Nitride is not wetted by most molten metals; this is of advantage for some refractory materials in casting processes.

Moreover, Hexagonal Boron Nitride has a low coefficient of friction, so that it is part of some lubricant compositions; it is also called “white graphite” because of a similar crystalline structure.