Carbides and Carbide Materials (hardmetals) Selection ...
Boron carbide (B 4 C) has higher hardness than alumina or silicon carbide. Its oxidation product (B 2 O 3 ) provides a protective skin at high temperatures (> 800 o C). Because of its high hardness and wear resistance, boron carbide is applied in low-temperature applications such as grinding wheel dressers, and abrasive blast or water jet nozzles.