Lanthanum Boride (LaB6)

Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6), also known as lanthanum boride, is a refractory ceramic material offering a unique combination of properties. It has a melting point of about 2210°C, high electron emissivity, and excellent thermionic emission capabilities. LaB6 has a simple cubic crystal structure, and its hardness of about 9 on the Mohs scale imparts good wear resistance.

 LaB6 is recognized for its high melting point and stability at elevated temperatures, making it well-suited for demanding high-temperature applications. It possesses low work function and one of the highest electron emissivities known, enabling efficient electron emission at relatively low temperatures. Its electrical conductivity is high and similar to many metals, and LaB6 remains stable under vacuum or inert atmospheres, critical for many uses. To fulfil the requirement of R&D, manufacturers sinter LaB6 into solids with hot pressing technique. Then, the LaB6 solid could be used to makeLaB6 sputter targets, or other machined parts.

 Key industrial applications include: electron emission in electron microscopes, owing to the bright, stable electron source for high-resolution, lower energy spread images; plasma generation in plasma torches, where LaB6 serves as an electron source due to its high emissivity; electron beam lithography, withLaB6 cathodes favored over tungsten for longer life and brighter, more focused beams essential for precision patterning; wear-resistant and anti-abrasive coatings, utilizing LaB6 powders for hardness and chemical stability; filaments in high-intensity discharge lamps for lighting and projection; and high-temperature furnace components, enabled by its refractory nature.

As a supplier of advanced materials, QSAM could also provide the other hexaborides, such as cerium hexaboride. Thes materials may have some similar properties with LaB6 but not as widely used. 

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