• Boron carbide is known as a robust material
having high hardness, high cross section for
absorption of neutrons (i.e. good shielding
properties against neutrons), stability to
ionizing radiation and most chemicals. Its
Vickers hardness (38 GPa) and fracture
toughness (3.5 MPa·m1/2) approach the
corresponding values for diamond (115 GPa
and 5.3 MPa·m1/2).