Boron nitride

<p>Boron nitride is a thermally and chemically resistant <a href="/facts/Refractory/LoKrzGkR">refractory</a> compound of <a href="/facts/Boron/Pmwgd7Mf">boron</a> and <a href="/facts/Nitrogen/Nf1QpGDz">nitrogen</a> with the <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">chemical formula</a> <a href="/facts/Boron/Pmwgd7Mf">B</a><a href="/facts/Nitrogen/Nf1QpGDz">N</a>. It exists in various <a href="/facts/Polymorphism_(materials_science)/bu2tqsB9">crystalline forms</a> that are <a href="/facts/Isoelectronic/SbzuaI05">isoelectronic</a> to a similarly structured <a href="/facts/Carbon/ukrgQexo">carbon</a> lattice. The <a href="/facts/Hexagonal_crystal_system/sSSok8wo">hexagonal form</a> corresponding to <a href="/facts/Graphite/sSf3KMXr">graphite</a> is the most stable and soft among BN polymorphs, and is therefore used as a lubricant and an additive to cosmetic products. The cubic (<a href="/facts/Zincblende_(crystal_structure)/92Co7BKM">zincblende aka sphalerite structure</a>) variety analogous to <a href="/facts/Diamond/IBUdnd1y">diamond</a> is called c-BN; it is softer than diamond, but its thermal and chemical stability is superior. The rare <a href="/facts/Wurtzite_crystal_structure/dJLTu9SB">wurtzite</a> BN modification is similar to <a href="/facts/Lonsdaleite/S5YFqKr5">lonsdaleite</a> but slightly softer than the cubic form.
</p><p>Because of excellent thermal and chemical stability, boron nitride ceramics are used in high-temperature equipment and <a href="/facts/Casting_(metalworking)/7mMSBWTs">metal casting</a>. Boron nitride has potential use in nanotechnology.
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Boron nitride open-in-new

Boron nitride