Applications

Crystalline boron of high purity (>99.9%) is used as dopant in semiconductor electronics components. Fibrous capillary boron crystals are suitable for the reinforcement of synthetic and light-metal materials used in the aerospace industry. Amorphous boron is used as additive for pyrotechnic chemicals and solid rocket propellants. The alloy with iron (ferroboron) allows the production of steels with large hardness. Ferroboron is used as well together with the boron isotope ¹⁰B as neutron absorber in nuclear reactors. The combination of boron with carbon under high temperature and pressure yields the extremely hard boron carbide, which is used for abrasive powders, cutting tools and for high-performance wear parts, e.g. sand jet nozzles. The same holds for the combination of aluminum and boron, which yields the so-called quadratic boron (boron diamond, AlB₁₂). Of industrial importance are furthermore the boron compounds boric acid (B₂O₃) and sodium tetraborate (Borax, Na₂B₄O₇) for the production of isolation materials and bleaching agents (perborates).

Important applications involving elementary boron:

    · additive for solid rocket propellants,
    · alloy additive for fine grained steels,
    · high-performance steels for the storage of nuclear fuels,
    · nickel-base alloys,
    · desoxidation of copper,
    · helicopter rotors, tennis racks and golf clubs
      (crystalline boron and boron fibers),
    · surface coating of stealth bombers (small radar echo),
    · pyrotechnic articles and light ammunition (due to intense green flame),
    · p-dopant of silicon,
    · neutron absorber rod in nuclear reactors (¹⁰B),
    · radiation protective clothing,
    · fertilizer,
    · sterilization of kerosene.

Important applications involving boron compounds:

    · detergents (perborates),
    · thermal isolation (borosilicate fibers),
    · fiber optic cables,
    · fire-proof boron silicate borosilicate glasses (Pyrex, Duran),
    · ceramic glaze,
    · pesticides,
    · brake and clutch lining,
    · hard-facing and bullet-proof vests,
    · solder flux (boric acid),
    · timber preservative (due to little toxicity),
    · flame retardant for printed circuit boards,
    · UV light absorber in sun protection lotions,
    · Airbag detonators (boron nitrate),
    · boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for curing cancer.