Fabrication of B4C from Na2B4O7 + Mg + C by SHS method

This paper deals with the formation of boron carbide (B4C) powders from Na2B4O7 + Mg + C system by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method. B4C without impurities could be obtained after the acid enrichment and distilled water washing. The reaction mechanism of SHS of B4C was proposed: the synthesis of B4C is a process involving the decomposition of Na2B4O7 into the intermediate phase B2O3, which reacts with Mg and carbon to form B4C.