It is called “white graphite,” yet it withstands higher temperatures and offers superior insulation than graphite. Though resembling powder, it is making waves in seemingly unrelated fields such as semiconductors, aerospace, and cosmetics. Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) powder—this remarkable material combining layered lubricity, high thermal conductivity, and outstanding electrical insulation—is permeating multiple critical sectors of modern industry with its unique property blend. From traditional manufacturing to cutting-edge technology, it plays an indispensable role. Its presence is ubiquitous—from ensuring efficient heat dissipation in chips to safeguarding rocket engines, from enhancing makeup adhesion to purifying industrial wastewater.
1. High-Temperature Solid Lubrication and Demolding
This is one of its most classic applications. In high-temperature processes such as metallurgical continuous casting, metal casting, and glass forming, traditional lubricants like graphite experience a sharp decline in performance beyond 400°C. In contrast, h-BN maintains a low friction coefficient of approximately 0.2 even at 1000°C. Coating it onto mold surfaces effectively reduces flow resistance for molten metals or glass, prevents adhesion, and significantly enhances casting precision and mold lifespan.
2. Advanced Thermal Conductive and Insulating Materials
As electronic devices become smaller and more powerful, heat dissipation has become a critical bottleneck. h-BN's unique combination of high insulation and thermal conductivity makes it an ideal thermal filler. Incorporated into polymer matrices to form composites, it is used in applications such as CPU thermal pastes, LED lighting heat sinks, and thermal management for new energy vehicle battery packs. It ensures efficient heat dissipation while maintaining absolute circuit safety.
3. High-Performance Ceramic Composites
h-BN ceramics exhibit an extremely low thermal expansion coefficient and excellent thermal shock resistance, making them suitable for manufacturing rocket nozzle insulation layers, high-temperature furnace linings, and thermocouple protective sleeves. h-BN fibers serve as reinforcements in ceramic matrix composites, enhancing their toughness and high-temperature resistance.
4. Eco-Friendly Adsorption and Catalyst Supports
Porous h-BN exhibits high specific surface area and strong adsorption capacity for pollutants like oils, heavy metal ions, and dyes, demonstrating significant potential in oil-water separation and wastewater treatment. Its outstanding thermal stability and chemical inertness also position it as a promising high-performance catalyst support, overcoming the instability and poor thermal conductivity issues of traditional supports at elevated temperatures.
5. Anti-corrosion Coatings
When incorporated into anti-corrosion coatings such as epoxy resins, h-BN nanopowder's layered structure acts like a “maze” to extend the penetration path of corrosive media, significantly enhancing the coating's barrier performance and durability. It is used for metal corrosion protection in ships, bridges, chemical equipment, and other applications.
6. Personal Care and Cosmetics
Benefiting from its fine texture, smooth feel, and excellent light scattering properties, high-purity, ultrafine h-BN powder is used as a raw material for high-end loose powders, foundations, and eyeshadows, providing a silky application and soft-focus effect.
7. Semiconductor and Electronics Industry
In semiconductors, ultra-high-purity h-BN serves as substrate and gate dielectric layer material. Its atomically flat surface reduces heterojunction interface defects, enhancing device performance. It is also a key raw material for producing cubic boron nitride (CBN) superhard abrasives.
8. Emerging Frontier Research
Researchers are exploring its potential as a hydrogen storage material, drug delivery carrier, and precision polishing additive (e.g., for large-scale fused quartz glass polishing), continually expanding its application boundaries.
