Greater than 30 GPa
The Vickers hardness of Boron Carbide is greater than 30 GPa. This hardness value makes Boron Carbide one of the hardest materials known, second only to cubic boron nitride and diamond. The hardness of Boron Carbide gives it significant advantages in a variety of applications, including but not limited to tank armor, bulletproof vests, engine destruction powders, and various other industrial applications. Its high hardness not only makes it an ideal wear-resistant material, but also serves as a neutron absorber in the nuclear energy field to control the rate of nuclear fission and ensure the safe operation of nuclear reactors. 12
The physical properties of Boron Carbide also include its density close to 2.52 g/cm³, melting point of 2445 °C, and hardness ranging from 2900 - 3580 Kg / mm² (Knoop 100 g). These properties together give Boron Carbide stability and durability in high temperature and pressure environments, making it a versatile engineering material.
In addition, research on the manufacturing and application of boron carbide is ongoing, such as preparing high-performance B4C-LaB6 composite ceramics through rapid hot pressing sintering technology to improve its toughness and other mechanical properties and further broaden its application areas.