Hexagonal boron nitride provides electrical insulation
Challenge
Many insulation materials offer only a limited solution for high-temperature and power applications, as they lose their electrical insulation properties once a certain temperature is reached.
Consequence
In many applications, electrical insulation and heat dissipation must be physically separated, resulting in the design of complex and less efficient systems. Thermal stresses accelerate material-related wear and, when combined with electrical stress, significantly shorten the service life of the components used.
THE HENZE SOLUTION
Components made of hexagonal boron nitride are the perfect solution! They combine insulation and heat dissipation in a single material. They maintain consistent electrical properties even at high temperatures and during thermal cycling, and ensure uniform temperature distribution.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is boron nitride?
Boron nitride is a high-temperature-resistant industrial ceramic. It is a true all-rounder and is characterized by a unique combination of properties: It offers good anti-seizing and lubricating properties, excellent thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, and outstanding electrical insulation properties. In addition, the material is highly resistant to thermal shock.
What is boron nitride used for?
Due to its versatile properties, boron nitride is used in numerous high-temperature applications and a wide variety of industries. Typical applications include sintering, powder metallurgy, and metal casting, where it serves as a release agent and protects against carburization. It is used in high-temperature furnace construction, aluminum extrusion, welding and laser processing, as well as in the production of thermally conductive plastics. Boron nitride has even proven itself under the extreme conditions of space, for example for electrical insulation in plasma thrusters for satellites.
In what forms does boron nitride come?
- HeBoSint® (components): Sintered precision components that are easy to machine, capable of withstanding extremely high thermal loads, and electrically insulating.
- HeBoCoat® (Coatings): Liquid coatings (water- or solvent-based) that ensure optimal release and lubrication properties on surfaces.
- HeBoFill® (powder): Versatile powders that, among other things, improve the thermal conductivity of plastics when used as fillers.
- HeBoLub® (lubricant additive): A dispersion of highly concentrated, fine boron nitride particles in oil that effectively minimizes friction and wear.
Is boron nitride an alternative to PTFE or PFAS?
Yes, absolutely. If you want to prepare early for a potential PFAS ban and are looking for a PTFE alternative, boron nitride is the ideal solution. It is physiologically safe, highly compatible with plastics and seals, and retains its lubricating properties even under the most extreme conditions.
Can boron nitride be used in the food industry?
Yes, we offer specialized products for sensitive applications. Our HeBoFill® LL-SP 010 and HeBoFill® LL-SP 050 powders are NSF-certified (Category HX-1). They are approved for use in lubricants where incidental food contact may occur, making their use in and around food processing facilities both safe and feasible.
Where are the boron nitride products manufactured?
We manufacture our boron nitride products directly at our facility in Lauben in the Allgäu region (southern Bavaria)—genuine “Made in Germany.” We place great emphasis on sustainability: for example, thanks to a sophisticated energy recovery system, we are able to produce boron nitride sintered bodies using renewable energy.
Why is the combination of electrical insulation and thermal conductivity often a challenge in industry?
In many high-temperature and energy applications, there is a seemingly contradictory requirement: components must provide reliable electrical insulation while simultaneously dissipating heat efficiently and withstanding extremely high temperatures. Conventional materials quickly reach their limits in this regard. Boron nitride, on the other hand, is a high-temperature-resistant industrial ceramic that combines precisely these versatile properties.
In which industrial applications is electrical insulation using boron nitride particularly important?
Boron nitride is used wherever the highest precision is required under extreme conditions. Typical examples include high-temperature furnace construction, where HeBoSint® materials are used, among other things, as electrical insulation sleeves for heaters. In solar technology (photovoltaics), electrically insulating boron nitride ceramics protect the sensitive heating elements made of graphite or copper during the manufacture of silicon wafers. Even in space, for example in plasma thrusters for satellites, the electrical insulation provided by boron nitride prevents short circuits and ensures a constant electric field. Furthermore, it is the proven material of choice in PVD systems, where it ideally combines insulation, temperature resistance, and non-stick properties.
Wie können Kunststoffe wärmeleitend gemacht werden, ohne ihre elektrische Isolationswirkung zu verlieren?
Since plastics inherently lack significant thermal conductivity, yet their use—for example, in the electronics sector—is steadily increasing, intelligent thermal management is essential. Our HeBoFill® boron nitride powders are ideal fillers for this application, significantly increasing the thermal conductivity of plastics while fully preserving their excellent electrical insulation properties. For solid components with even more extreme requirements, we also offer the high-performance mixed ceramic SL-A 800, which combines outstanding thermal conductivity with excellent electrical insulation properties (specific electrical resistance > × 10¹⁵ ohms).