How Do You Spell BORON CARBIDE?

Pronunciation: [bˈɔːɹɒn kˈɑːba͡ɪd] (IPA)

Boron carbide is a compound used in various industrial applications. It is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈbɔːrɒn ˈkɑːbaɪd/. The first part of the word, "boron," is pronounced with a long "o" sound, as in "bore." The second part, "carbide," is pronounced with a hard "c" sound and a long "i" sound, as in "car" and "side." The spelling of this word reflects the chemical elements involved, with "boron" representing the element B and "carbide" indicating the compound's composition as a combination of carbon and another element.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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BORON CARBIDE Meaning and Definition

  1. Boron carbide is a chemical compound composed of boron and carbon atoms, with the chemical formula B4C. It is a hard and lightweight ceramic material that exhibits exceptional characteristics, making it highly useful in various applications.

    In terms of physical properties, boron carbide is known for its high hardness and exceptional wear resistance, making it one of the hardest materials known to man. It has a Mohs hardness rating of 9.3, which is second only to diamond. This exceptional hardness and wear resistance makes boron carbide suitable for use in cutting tools, armor plating, and abrasive powders.

    Additionally, boron carbide possesses excellent strength and a low density, making it attractive for applications where both lightweight and high-strength materials are required. It has a density ranging between 2.50 and 2.55 g/cm^3, which allows for the production of lightweight armor systems that offer enhanced protection against ballistic impact.

    Moreover, boron carbide exhibits remarkable chemical resistance, with good resistance to most acids and alkalis. It also has a high melting point and is thermally stable up to around 2000°C (3632°F). This combination of chemical and thermal stability further enhances its suitability for high-temperature applications such as nuclear engineering and refractory materials.

    In summary, boron carbide is a hard, lightweight, chemically-resistant ceramic material that finds applications in various industries, including cutting tools, armor plating, abrasive powders, nuclear engineering, and refractory materials.

Etymology of BORON CARBIDE

The word "boron" comes from the Arabic word "Buraq" or "Borach" which is the name for borax, a compound that contains boron. The term "carbide" is derived from the Latin word "carbo", which means coal. "Carbo" is combined with the suffix "-ide" to signify a compound or an ion. Therefore, "boron carbide" refers to a compound made up of boron and carbon atoms.