Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) solid lubricant additives for high-temperature grease, food-grade lubricants, and electrically insulating applications. White, inert, chemically stable, and suitable for demanding industrial formulations.
Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN, CAS 10043-11-5) is a white crystalline solid often called “white graphite” because of its structural similarity to graphite. Alternating boron and nitrogen atoms form hexagonal layers that can slide against each other under shear.
Unlike graphite, hBN is electrically insulating, chemically inert, and white in color. These properties open application areas where MoS₂, WS₂, or graphite may be unsuitable because of conductivity, color, oxidation behavior, or chemical compatibility requirements.
hBN maintains its structure and lubrication properties at temperatures up to 900°C in air and 1,400°C in vacuum, making it useful for high-temperature metal forming, sintering operations, ceramic processing, and electrically sensitive systems.
Powderful Solutions supplies hBN powder in four particle sizes optimized for different lubricant formulation requirements:
Sub-micron hBN for oil and grease systems. Designed for thin-film EHD contacts, food-grade lubricants, and electrically insulating applications.
Ultra-fine hBN for precision tribological contacts and polymer composites requiring the smallest available particle size.
General-purpose hBN powder for grease formulation, metalworking compounds, and ceramic processing applications.
Larger-particle hBN for forging compounds, release agents, and sintering aids where coarser particle size improves surface coverage.
hBN can maintain a stable lubricant film at temperatures where MoS₂, graphite, and organic additive systems may lose performance.
hBN is electrically insulating, making it useful for bearings, motors, electrical equipment, and sliding contacts where conductive additives would create risk.
hBN resists many aggressive acids, alkalis, and reactive media, supporting compatibility in chemical, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
hBN does not discolor white or light-colored lubricant products, making it relevant for food-grade, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and clean industrial applications.
COF 0.01–0.12 depending on particle size, treat rate, contact conditions, and carrier system. Effective in high-temperature, insulating, or chemically aggressive contacts.
hBN is chemically inert and non-toxic, making it suitable for lubricant formulations where food-grade or incidental food-contact compatibility is required.
| Property | hBN | MoS₂ | WS₂ | Graphite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COF (dry) | 0.01–0.12 | 0.05–0.10 | 0.03 | 0.10–0.20 |
| Max temp. in air | 900°C | 350°C | 650°C | 450°C |
| Electrically insulating | Yes | No | No | No |
| Color | White | Black | Dark grey | Black |
| Food-grade compatible | Yes | Limited | Limited | No |
| Chemical resistance | Excellent | Limited | Good | Good |
Sub-micron hBN powder optimized for oil and grease carrier systems. Suitable for high-temperature bearing greases, food-grade lubricants, and electrically insulating applications.
View full specifications →Ultra-fine hBN for precision tribological applications requiring the smallest particle size for thin-film EHD contacts and polymer composite blending.
View full specifications →Mid-range particle size hBN for general-purpose grease formulation, metalworking compounds, and ceramic processing applications.
View full specifications →Larger-particle hBN for high-temperature forging compounds, release agents, and sintering aids where coarser particle size improves surface coverage on metal surfaces.
View full specifications →hBN can be used in high-temperature base greases for oven conveyor bearings, kiln car bearings, and furnace equipment operating where conventional additives may decompose.
hBN is useful in food processing equipment greases, conveyor chain lubricants, and incidental food-contact applications where white, inert, non-toxic additives are preferred.
Bearings and sliding contacts in electric motors, generators, and switchgear where conductive MoS₂ or graphite could cause insulation breakdown or short circuits.
Forging lubricants, hot-pressing compounds, and sintering aids for steel, titanium, and aluminum alloy manufacturing at elevated process temperatures.
Release agent and lubricant in ceramic pressing, semiconductor wafer processing, and refractory manufacturing where chemical inertness helps reduce contamination risk.
Dry lubricant additive in PTFE, nylon, PEEK, and other engineering polymer composites for bearing and bushing applications requiring low friction without discoloration.
Our technical team works directly with lubricant formulators to optimize particle size, concentration, and carrier system for your application.