Cerium Hexaboride (CeB6) Ceramics
Cerium Boride, also called Cerium Hexaboride or CeB6, is a refractory ceramic material. It has a low work function and one of the highest electron emissivity known, and is stable in a vacuum. Therefore, the principal use of cerium hexaboride is a coating of hot cathodes, or hot cathodes made of cerium hexaboride crystals. Cerium boride cathode usually operates at a temperature of 1450 °C because it shows a lower evaporation rate at 1427℃ than lanthanum boride, but it becomes equal at 1577℃ and higher above that.
Cerium Hexaboride Properties:
| Compound Formula | CeB6 |
| Molecular Weight | 204.98 |
| Appearance | Blue |
| Melting Point | 2550 °C |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 379 GPa |
| Density | 4.80-4.87 g/cm3 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 33.0 – 34.8 W/m-K |
| Chemical Formula | CeB6 |
| Mechanical | |
| Density | 4.80-4.87 g/cm3 |
| Hardness | 25-30 GPa |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 379 GPa |
| Flexural Strength | 350 MPa |
| Compressive Strength | 2000 MPa |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.12 |
| Fracture Toughness | 3.5-4.5 MPa m½ |
| Electrical | |
| Dielectric Strength | - |
| Dielectric Constant | - |
| Volume Resistivity | 10^-6 to 10^-5 |
| Thermal | |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 6.5 x 10^-6/°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 33.0 - 34.8 W/m*K |
| Specific Heat | 0.5 J/g·K |
| Shock Resistance | - |
| Maximum Working Temperature | 1800 ℃ |