Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is an emerging material that is witnessing growing applications across several industries globally. The unique properties of h-BN including its chemical and thermal stability, high dielectric strength, low thermal conductivity and ability to act as a solid lubricant are propelling its demand. In this article, we analyze the key factors driving the h-BN market and provide an outlook on future growth opportunities.
Unique Properties Make h-BN Highly Suitable for Diverse Applications
Hexagonal boron nitride is a synthetic compound made of boron and nitrogen atoms arranged in a hexagonal crystal lattice structure similar to graphite. Some of the unique properties of h-BN include:
- Chemical Inertness - h-BN is inert to both acids and bases making it stable under harsh chemical environments. This property allows its use in applications involving corrosive chemicals.
- High Thermal Conductivity - h-BN has a very low thermal conductivity compared to most other materials making it an excellent thermal insulator. This enables its use as a heat shield and insulation material.
- Electrical Insulation - As an electrical insulator, h-BN finds wide usage as an insulating substrate for electronics and semiconductors.
- Solid Lubrication - Its hexagonal layered structure gives h-BN self-lubricating properties, enabling its application as a dry lubricant and additive.
- High Purity - h-BN can be produced at levels of 99.9% or higher purity making it suitable for applications requiring ultra-high purity.
These outstanding and diverse material properties have unlocked a wide range of applications for h-BN across various industries including electronics, metallurgy, aerospace and more.
Electronics Industry Drives Significant h-BN Demand
The electronics industry currently accounts for over 50% of the global h-BN demand owing to its superior electrical and thermal insulating properties. Some key applications of h-BN in electronics include:
- Insulating Substrate for GaN Devices - The similar crystal structure and thermal expansion coefficients of h-BN and GaN makes it an ideal insulating substrate for gallium nitride devices used in LEDs, laser diodes and RF electronics.
- Chip Insulation - h-BN provides effective insulation between semiconductor chips and the case/heat sinks enabling optimal heat dissipation from high-power electronics.
- Wafer Carrier in Epitaxy - Its high purity and inertness make h-BN an indispensable material used for wafer carrier in metal organic chemical vapor deposition tools for III-V epitaxy.
- Thermal Interface Material - High in-plane thermal conductivity and low dielectric constant qualify h-BN as a efficient thermal interface material critical for heat dissipation in modern powerful chips and modules.
The growing demand for advanced power electronics in applications like EV/HEV, 5G infrastructure, renewable energy conversion is fueling exponential growth of the above applications and h-BN material usage.
Metallurgy Industry Another Major End User
Owing to its self-lubricating nature and high purity, h-BN emerges as an effective alternative to commonly used lubricants as an additive as well as a standalone lubricant, especially for high-temperature applications. Some key metallurgical applications of h-BN include:
- High Temperature Lubricant - Ability to withstand temperatures up to 1000°C without decomposing makes h-BN ideally suited as a lubricant for hot metal forming, hot metal extrusion, hot forging processes etc.
- Lubricant Additive - Used as an additive in metalworking fluids and greases, h-BN enhances the load-carrying capacity and reduces friction and wear.
- Diamond Polishing - Finely powdered h-BN acts as an efficient polishing agent to shape and polish diamonds effectively at high temperatures.
- Graphite Production - As a raw material, h-BN acts as a source of nitrogen to modify graphite microstructure during graphite electrode production.
The flourishing metal manufacturing industry coupled with increasing mechanization and automation is imparting strong growth momentum to h-BN consumption in metallurgical applications.
Aerospace Sector Propels High-End h-BN Usage
The aerospace industry represents a niche market that demands high-performance materials. Some specialized h-BN applications catering to this sector include:
- Thermal Protection Systems - Large single crystal h-BN plates provide effective ablation and ensure safe re-entry of space planes owing to capability of retaining integrity at high temperatures up to 3000°C in non-oxidizing atmospheres.
- Friction Stir Welding - High purity h-BN powder aid in producing defect-free welds of critical aerospace-grade aluminum alloys through its self-lubricating and plugging action during friction stir welding process.
- Solid Rocket Propellant - Ammonium perchlorate composite propellant industry utilizes h-BN as a burn rate modifier and propergellant.
- High-End Thermal Interface Materials - The super high thermal conductivity of h-BN makes it indispensable as a thermally conductive filler in high performance thermal greases/pads for avionics.
Growing space exploration programs and modernization of military aviation are driving strong growth inadvanced aerospace systems, propelling the niche h-BN market.
Market Outlook
Given its diverse and critical applications, the global hexagonal boron nitride market is projected to grow at an impressive compound annual growth rate, according to leading consulting firms. The growing electronics and 5G infrastructure build out coupled with rebounding global economy is likely to fuel double digit demand growth for h-BN in coming years. Asia Pacific currently dominates the global h-BN market with China representing the major production and consumer base. However, industries in North America and Europe are also rapidly embracing h-BN driven by stringent performance and efficiency standards. Overall, hexagonal boron nitride is positioned for strong continued growth given its strategic importance across industries.