Calcium Boride (CaB6)-Powder

Characteristic




Calcium hexaboride (sometimes calcium boride) is a compound of calcium and boron with the chemical formula CaB6. It is an important material due to its high electrical conductivity, hardness, chemical stability, and melting point. It is a black, lustrous, chemically inert powder with a low density. It has the cubic structure typical for metal hexaborides, with octahedral units of 6 boron atoms combined with calcium atoms. CaB6 and lanthanum-doped CaB6 both show weak ferromagnetic properties.




Chemical formula:CaB6

Molar mass:104.94 g/mol

Appearance:black powder

Density:2.45 g/cm3

Melting point:2,235 °C (4,055 °F; 2,508 K)

Solubility in water:insoluble




Application




Calcium hexaboride is used in the manufacturing of boron-alloyed steel and as a deoxidation agent in production of oxygen-free copper. The latter results in higher conductivity than conventionally phosphorus-deoxidized copper owing to the low solubility of boron in copper.CaB6 can also serve as a high temperature material, surface protection, abrasives, tools, and wear resistant material.




CaB6 is highly conductive, has low work function, and thus can be used as a hot cathode material. When used at elevated temperature, calcium hexaboride will oxidize degrading its properties and shortening its usable lifespan.




CaB6 is also a promising candidate for n-type thermoelectric materials, because its power factor is larger than or comparable to that of common thermoelectric materials Bi2Te3 and PbTe.

CaB also can be used as an antioxidant in carbon bonded refractories.