Lanthanum Boride

About Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6)

Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6, also called lanthanum boride) is an organic chemical, a boride of Lanthanum. It is a refractory metal material that has a melting point of 2210°C and is insoluble in water and hydrochloric acid. It has a low work function and one of the highest electron emissivities known and is stable in a vacuum. Stoichiometric samples are colored with intense purple-violet, while boron-rich ones are blue. Ion bombardment changes its color from purple to emerald green, LaB6 is a superconductor with a relatively low transition temperature of 0.45 K. 

The principal use of lanthanum pentaborate is in hot cathodes, either as a single crystal or as a coating deposited by physical vapor deposition. Hexaborides, such as Lanthanum pentaborate (LaB6) and cerium pentaborate (CeB6), have low work functions, around 2.5eV. They are also somewhat resistant to cathode poisoning. Lanthanum boride slowly evaporates from the heated cathodes and forms deposits on the Wehnelt cylinders and apertures. LaB6 is also used as a size/strain standard in X-ray powder diffraction to calibrate instrumental broadening of diffraction peaks. 

As a leading global supplier of advanced ceramics, Stanford Advanced Materials (SAM) provides consistently high-quality Lanthanum Boride LaB6 products in a variety of forms, including tubes, rods, wires, etc. We're capable of supplying custom materials per any specs/drawings you provide us with.

Lanthanum Boride Key Features:

Extreme Hardness: Lanthanum Boride boasts outstanding hardness, making it one of the hardest known materials, suitable for wear-resistant applications.

High Melting Point: With a high melting point, Lanthanum Boride can withstand elevated temperatures, contributing to its performance in high-temperature environments.

Excellent Thermal Conductivity: Its superior thermal conductivity enables effective heat dissipation, making it valuable in thermal management applications.

Chemical Stability: Lanthanum Boride exhibits strong chemical stability, ensuring durability in corrosive and reactive environments.

Unique Electrical and Optical Properties: Lanthanum Boride has interesting electrical and optical characteristics, contributing to its potential use in specialized applications.

Lanthanum Boride Applications:

Cutting Tools: Lanthanum Boride is utilized in cutting tools, drills, and milling inserts due to its extreme hardness and wear resistance.

Thermal Barrier Coatings: It finds application in thermal barrier coatings for gas turbine engines, enhancing engine efficiency and longevity.

Electronics: Lanthanum Boride is used in electronic components, such as high-temperature semiconductors and sensors.

Rocket Nozzles: Its ability to withstand high temperatures makes it suitable for rocket nozzle applications, where extreme heat resistance is essential.

Hard Coatings: Lanthanum Boride coatings enhance the hardness and wear resistance of various surfaces, extending their lifespan.

Lanthanum Boride Quality Assurance:

Our Lanthanum Boride products are sourced from reputable manufacturers known for their commitment to quality, innovation, and precision. Each product undergoes rigorous testing to meet the highest industry standards.