Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on Dec 14, 2008 14:55:04 GMT -5
Has anyone tried using the range of Boron Carbide grits?
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Dec 14, 2008 16:50:19 GMT -5
Guess I could grind up some of the old control rods from reactor #2 and try it.
;D
DR Joe
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 14, 2008 19:15:46 GMT -5
Hey, there's an idea! Then your rocks would glow in the dark without a blacklight!
:-)
Chuck
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Dec 14, 2008 19:55:03 GMT -5
Um do you have a source for the stuff?
Seeing as how its primary uses are in armor and ceramics for the nuclear industry, and its Mohs hardness is 9.3 compared to SiC being 9.25, I kind of doubt its going to be priced competativly when compared to Silicon Carbide.
The only possible advantage I could envision would be its rhombohedral crystal structure might cut a little faster, while SiC comes in many different crystal shapes, not all of which have as many sharp points...
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Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on Dec 14, 2008 20:17:06 GMT -5
I guess you just googled and took the first choice.
Boron Carbide Abrasive Powder, 600 Grit Size, 1kg pack
These powders are manufactured for use in lapping operations where high precision finishes are specified on hard materials
Manufacturing and quality control procedures used in the production of these powders ensure that the end product is exceptionally clean and closely sized.
Applications for the use of Boron Caride include the processing of ceramic materials, very hard optical materials such as sapphire, heat treated alloys and very hard mineral sections.
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Post by cpdad on Dec 14, 2008 20:17:54 GMT -5
not worth it at all...i checked into it cause i can purchase it...the big advantage of it is the crystal structure as rally said.
the cost is 7 to 8 times of sic....not to mention the sharp edges of the boron would probably wear your barrels out prematurely.
i would only consider it seriously if i wanted to run a big batch of emeralds and needed to cut some time off the run in coarse and the second stage of the tumble....kev.
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Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on Dec 14, 2008 20:20:21 GMT -5
I was considering getting some to run through a batch of Ruby.
Never thought about what it might do to the barrels.
New train of thought now, thanks.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Dec 14, 2008 20:32:04 GMT -5
Actually, I looked pretty well beyond the "first thing that came up" thanks, and while I didn't find any place that offered online sales of bulk Boron Carbide abrasives, I did see that application mentioned too, but those other applications come up again and again. the cost is 7 to 8 times of sic.... That was what I suspected.... I'll be interested to hear how it works if someone tries it but I don't have the budget for that experiment myself. |
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Post by cpdad on Dec 14, 2008 21:03:49 GMT -5
rally i cant afford it either....i deal with a large company that uses boron grit in there research daily...i cant get into details because of the confidentiality thing....but i have first dibbs on any that may be left over.
they said they would sell me some of it at there cost....still to much....and they buy in bulk....hate to see what small quantities sell for.....but im definitely gonna try it if i get a chance....kev.
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Post by bobby1 on Dec 15, 2008 0:44:45 GMT -5
drjo,
I thought the control rods in a reactor were Hafnium, at least that was what they were made of when I was operating a reactor on a nuclear submarine 40 years ago or so.
Bob
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Dec 15, 2008 10:36:39 GMT -5
I had a friend that was the axeman on one. I got mine at discount cause they had been buried in the sand for several years somewhere in the middle east (weird way to store things  ) ...found out if I bought in quantity they combined shipping too. I see it's used in abrasive blasting too. Whoa... Boron 5# 60grit $115.00 & it just goes higher the fine the grit SiC 50# 60grit $ 93.60 That's a ~10:1 ratio... could it be worth it? DR Joe . |
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Dec 15, 2008 16:32:12 GMT -5
The only way I could see it being worthwhile is if it cut my batch time by a similar factor, say 5-6 days in a rotary running course instead of 5-6 weeks.
I just don't see that happening, but like I said, I'd like to hear how it works out if anyone tries it
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) ...found out if I bought in quantity they combined shipping too.
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