The Friction of Boron Carbide in Controlled Atmospheres

Abstract

Experiments on the sliding of boron carbide on boron carbide in atmospheres of dry air and water vapor at room temperature have shown the frictional behavior of boron carbide to be similar to that of graphite. As boron carbide has not a lamellar structure this is surprising. Electron diffraction studies have shown that the surface of the boron carbide probably contained graphite, thus explaining the frictional behavior.