boron carbide

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a black, crystalline, extremely hard, water-insoluble solid, B 4 C, used chiefly as a moderator in nuclear reactors, as an abrasive, and as a refractory.

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boron carbide British  

noun

1. a black extremely hard inert substance having a high capture cross section for thermal neutrons. It is used as an abrasive and refractory and in control rods in nuclear reactors. Formula: B 4 C

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Example Sentences

The improved mirror has been developed by researchers at Linköping University by coating a silicon plate with extremely thin layers of iron and silicon mixed with boron carbide.

From Science Daily • Feb. 29, 2024

In this case, iron and silicon films are used, mixed with isotopic enriched boron carbide.

From Science Daily • Feb. 29, 2024

For example, the ceramic plates fitted into body armour are becoming better, with newer versions using materials such as boron carbide.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2021

For example, in an April article in Nature, "Cleaner, greener fireworks," James Mitchell Crow reported that boron carbide may be a viable, environmentally friendlier replacement for barium-based compounds, used to make green light.

From Scientific American • Jun. 30, 2011

Tiny diny-teeth, smaller than the heads of pins, were still authentic boron carbide.

From Attention Saint Patrick by Leinster, Murray