Materials

A filament based on boron carbide, one of the hardest materials on the market

Additive Composite and Add North are two Swedish companies that have worked together to develop a composite filament based on boron carbide, one of the hardest materials on the market after diamond and cubic boron nitride. Marketed under the name…

boron carbide
3Dnatives

Additive Composite and Add North are two Swedish companies that have worked together to develop a composite filament based on boron carbide, one of the hardest materials on the market after diamond and cubic boron nitride. Marketed under the name Addbor N25, it is made of nylon to which boron carbide has been added: the aim of the two companies is to offer a filament capable of resisting radiation.

Last week, we spoke to you about composite 3D printing, its advantages and the technologies available on the market. It was explained that most composite materials are made of carbon fibre, but also glass or aramid. It therefore appears that boron carbide is quite innovative in the additive manufacturing market. It is a mineral material with very high hardness, low density and extremely high temperature resistance, ideal for shielding and nuclear applications for example. Due to its properties, Additive Composite and Add North have chosen it as a component of their new 3D printing filament.

Boron Carbide is one of the hardest materials on the market.

Addbor N25 would be made of 25% boron carbide, the rest being nylon: Add North points out that this technical polyamide already has interesting characteristics for the industry such as its strength and low shrinkage. It is therefore reinforced by boron carbide which ensures effective absorption against neutrons and therefore shielding capabilities against radiation. Adam Engberg, CEO of Additive Composite, adds: “Additive manufacturing changes the number of products designed and manufactured. We believe that Addbor N25 contributes to this development and helps both industry and large research facilities to replace toxic materials that could eventually contaminate the environment. Our new product is the first in a range of radiation shielding materials that we are currently developing.” Indeed, the composite replaces certain metals such as cadmium, a material banned from the market because of its high toxicity.