3 minutes
Originally published January 14, 2019. Updated May 16, 2025.
Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), often known as 'white graphite', is a high-performance ceramic material used across a wide range of industrial applications. Its structure resembles that of graphite, yet its behavior is strikingly different, especially when exposed to high temperatures or electrical currents.
This article explains what makes hBN a material of choice, the forms available, its applications, and how Saint-Gobain’s boron nitride solutions excel in performance and reliability.
Key Properties of Hexagonal Boron Nitride
hBN offers a unique combination of functional traits, making it highly versatile:
- High thermal conductivity
- Electrical insulation
- Thermal shock resistance
- Dry lubricity for high-friction applications
- Chemical inertness
- Non-wettability against molten metals
Saint-Gobain enhances these natural properties through engineered grades featuring exceptional purity, oxidation resistance above 900°C, and optimized moisture control for long-term shelf stability.
Engineered to Perform
In practical terms, this means that Saint-Gobain’s hBN products perform reliably in mission-critical operations from satellite thrusters to furnace insulators and crucibles. The material’s combination of dielectric strength and thermal conductivity make it indispensable where conventional ceramics fail.
Available Forms of hBN
Saint-Gobain offers hexagonal boron nitride in multiple engineered formats to support the unique needs of diverse industries and application environments. Each form is designed to deliver optimal performance based on how the material is processed or applied:
- hBN Powders – Finely tuned for use in thermal pastes, cosmetic formulations, and industrial lubricants, these powders offer excellent performance and chemical purity. Available in platelet form or engineered agglomerates.
- COMBAT® Machinable BN Ceramics – Hot pressed binder-bonded or composite ceramics that are easily machinable. These solids can be precisely shaped into high-temperature components such as crucibles, insulators, and custom fixtures.
- CeraGlide® BN Coatings – Available in sprayable and paintable formats, ideal for protecting dies, molds, and contact surfaces from heat and chemical attack.
This versatility enables manufacturers, engineers, and designers to select the right hBN form for thermal protection, electrical insulation, or processing efficiency without compromising on quality or consistency.
Applications Across Industries
Thanks to its wide property set including thermal stability, chemical inertness, and dielectric strength, hexagonal boron nitride has become a preferred material across multiple industries. Saint-Gobain's hBN grades are actively used in:
- Metal Forming – As a die release agent and anti-stick coating, hBN prevents metal adhesion in forging, extrusion, and casting. It is particularly well suited for aluminum casting and steel casting.
- Electronics – For thermal interface materials and electrical insulation in circuit assemblies and LED systems.
Aerospace – In satellite propulsion as an insulating chamber and hypersonics as electromagnetically transparent shields for electronics. - Semiconductors – In diffusion sources and high-temperature insulators.
Lubricants – Incorporated into oils, greases, and pastes for lubrication under extreme pressure.
Whether the goal is to improve tool life, control thermal flow, or increase part precision, Saint-Gobain's hBN solutions are engineered to enhance your process or product.
Why Choose Saint-Gobain's Boron Nitride?
While hBN may be available from various suppliers, Saint-Gobain offers a unique advantage: reliable performance backed by over five decades of ceramic innovation. Our powders are of the highest purity and available in a wide range of particle sizes and shapes. Our coatings exhibit excellent adhesion and surface coverage. Every product is engineered for consistency, built for performance, and trusted across industries.