Lanthanide Boride

About Lanthanhexaboride (LaB6)

Lanthanhexaboride (LaB6, also known as Lanthanboride) is a chemical compound and a boride of lanthanum. It is a refractory material with a melting point of 2 210 °C. It is insoluble in water and hydrochloric acid. Its work function is low and it has one of the highest known electron emission capacities. It remains stable in a vacuum. Stoichiometric samples show an intense purple colour, while boron-rich samples exhibit a blue colour. Ion bombardment changes the colour from purple to emerald green. LaB6 is a superconductor with a transition temperature of 0.45 K.

Lanthanhexaboride is mainly used in thermionic cathodes. It is available as a single crystal or as a coating applied by physical vapour deposition. Hexaborides such as Lanthanhexaboride (LaB6) and Cerhexaboride (CeB6) have work functions of approximately 2.5 eV. They are resistant to cathode poisoning to some extent. Lanthanhexaboride evaporates slowly from heated cathodes and deposits on Wehnelt cylinders and apertures. LaB6 is used as a size/strain standard in X-ray powder diffraction to calibrate instrumental peak broadening.

Stanford Advanced Materials (SAM) supplies Lanthanhexaboride-LaB6 products in various forms, including tubes, rods and wires. SAM can provide custom materials according to supplied specifications and drawings.

Main Features of Lanthanhexaboride:

High hardness: Lanthanhexaboride exhibits high hardness. It is used in applications requiring wear resistance.

High melting point: The material has a melting point of 2 210 °C and withstands high temperatures.

High thermal conductivity: It offers efficient heat dissipation, thereby helping in thermal management.

Chemical stability: Lanthanhexaboride is chemically stable and maintains its integrity in corrosive and reactive environments.

Notable electrical and optical properties: The material exhibits distinct electrical and optical characteristics that support its use in specialised applications.

Applications of Lanthanhexaboride:

Cutting tools: Lanthanhexaboride is used in cutting tools, drills and milling inserts because of its high hardness and wear resistance.

Thermal barrier coatings: It is applied in thermal barrier coatings for gas turbine engines to increase engine efficiency and service life.

Electronics: The material is used in electronic components such as high-temperature semiconductors and sensors.

Rocket nozzles: Given that Lanthanhexaboride withstands high temperatures, it is suitable for use in rocket nozzles.

Hard coatings: Lanthanhexaboride coatings improve the hardness and extend the wear life of various surfaces.

Quality Assurance for Lanthanhexaboride:

Our Lanthanhexaboride products are sourced from reputable manufacturers known for quality, innovation and precision. Each product is tested to ensure it meets required industry standards.

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