Temperature resistance
Challenge
Technical ceramics are frequently used because they can withstand significantly higher temperatures than common metals or polymers. While materials such as alumina (Al₂O₃), zirconia (ZrO₂), or aluminum nitride (AlN) offer good high-temperature properties, they reach their limits in certain process environments. This is particularly true when temperatures are consistently very high or when working in inert gas and vacuum processes. The challenge lies in selecting a material that reliably maintains its structure and function even at extreme temperatures.
Consequence
If a material’s temperature resistance is insufficient, this can have significant effects on its properties and, consequently, on processes and equipment. Typical consequences include material degradation, loss of electrical insulation properties, reduced component service life, and more frequent maintenance and replacement.
THE HENZE SOLUTION
Selecting a material with sufficient temperature resistance is therefore a critical factor for reliable and cost-effective processes. Boron nitride offers exceptional temperature resistance and has proven itself in numerous high-temperature applications. Depending on the atmosphere, Henze BNP hexagonal boron nitride retains its properties even at temperatures up to 2,200 °C.
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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.
What role does temperature resistance play in material selection?
Selecting the right technical ceramic usually starts with one key question: Can the material and its properties withstand demanding process conditions over the long term? In many industries, conventional materials quickly reach their performance limits when exposed to high heat. Boron nitride, on the other hand, is an industrial ceramic that is naturally resistant to high temperatures. As a true all-rounder, it reliably retains its unique properties—such as separation, insulation, and thermal conductivity—even under extreme thermal stress.
How do Henze BNP boron nitride products withstand extreme temperatures?
Boron nitride is extremely temperature-stable. In an inert (oxygen-free) atmosphere, for example, the material remains stable up to 2,000 °C. Our sintered components (HeBoSint®) can withstand extremely high temperatures—we even manufacture our sintered parts in our own hot presses at maximum temperatures of up to 2,200 °C. But it’s not just solid components that benefit from this: Our HeBoFill® powders and HeBoLub® lubricant additives also permanently retain their excellent lubricating and separating properties even at the highest temperatures.
In which industrial applications is this extreme temperature resistance essential?
The thermal stability of our products is in high demand in countless high-temperature applications. In high-temperature furnace construction, they ensure safe process control when used as heat-resistant insulation sleeves and heater supports. In laser processing, an extremely temperature-stable boron nitride coating protects components from hot metal spatter and oxidation. A particularly impressive example of boron nitride’s durability is found in the aerospace industry: In plasma thrusters for satellites, the material demonstrates its ability not only to effectively dissipate extreme heat but also to withstand the extreme low temperatures of space without issue.
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