Advanced Boride Ceramic — Custom Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB₆) Cathodes and Emitters
ADCERAX is a China-based advanced ceramics manufacturer specializing in lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) — the boride ceramic used for thermionic cathodes and emitters in electron microscopes, e-beam systems, X-ray sources and vacuum electron devices. We supply custom LaB₆ cathode tubes, rods, rings and plates, made to your drawing and working conditions. Send your dimensions, equipment position and application — our engineers review manufacturability before quoting.
What Are Boride Ceramics?
In engineering, boride ceramics are dense, hard materials based on metal borides such as titanium diboride (TiB₂) and the hexaborides LaB₆ and CeB₆. They are covalently bonded and processed by powder pressing and high-temperature sintering, combining very high hardness, high melting points and chemical stability with useful electrical and thermal conductivity.
Which Boride Ceramic Do You Need?
Choose by the job your part must do. Each material fits a different function.
LaB₆
Lanthanum hexaboride · electron emitter
Best for: stable, high-brightness electron emission
Typical parts: cathodes for SEM/TEM, e-beam systems, vacuum electron sources
CeB₆
Cerium hexaboride · alternative emitter
Best for: stable emission, good life under repeated start–stop cycles
Typical parts: cathodes for electron and ion sources
TiB₂
Titanium diboride · conductive
Best for: conduction + molten-metal contact + wear
Typical parts: evaporation boats (TiB₂–BN) for vacuum metallizing, molten-aluminium contact parts, wear blocks
Boride Ceramic Products
ADCERAX manufactures lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) boride ceramic parts — cathode tubes, rings, plates and rods for electron microscopes, e-beam, X-ray and vacuum electron sources — in standard sizes or custom to your drawings.
LaB₆ plates are flat blanks for emitter tips, cathode inserts and electron-source parts, machined to your outline for stable, high-current emission.
LaB₆ rods are emitter stock for machining cathode tips, sized for microscopes, X-ray and vacuum electron sources that need consistent emission.
LaB₆ rings are annular cathode elements for electron and X-ray sources where a ring geometry and stable, long-life emission are needed.
LaB₆ cathode tubes are tubular emitter bodies for ready-to-mount cathode assemblies in electron microscopes, X-ray sources and vacuum electron devices.
Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) Ceramic Properties
Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) combines high conductivity, a low work function and excellent thermal stability, making it a very efficient thermionic emitter for hot cathodes in electron microscopes, X-ray sources and vacuum tubes.
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Performance Highlights / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Melting Point | ≈ 2528 K (about 2250 °C) | Refractory ceramic that remains structurally stable at very high temperatures. |
| Density | ~4.7 g/cm³ | Compact, robust ceramic body suitable for small high-power cathodes and inserts. |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~47–60 W/m·K at 20 °C | Efficiently spreads heat across the emitter, reducing local hot spots. |
| Thermal Expansion (CTE) | ~6.2–6.5 ×10⁻⁶ /K (20–900 °C) | Good thermal shock resistance and predictable expansion for brazed or clamped assemblies. |
| Electrical Resistivity | ~15 μΩ·cm at 20 °C | High electrical conductivity, ideal for thermionic cathodes and other electron-emitting parts. |
| Typical Operating Temperature (Cathode) | ~1400–1800 °C in vacuum | Provides strong electron emission while maintaining long-term structural stability. |
| Emission Current Density | ~20–50 A/cm² at 1400–1800 °C | Delivers high beam brightness for electron microscopes, X-ray sources and plasma devices. |
| Work Function | ≈ 2.6–2.7 eV | Low work function enables high emission at lower temperatures than conventional tungsten cathodes. |
- Please note: Customized parts may have adjusted characteristics depending on production methods, with specific parameters determined by the stabilizer type and formula chosen for your application.
Custom LaB₆ cathodes and emitters, made to your specification
Custom LaB₆ cathodes, emitters and blanks for electron, e-beam, X-ray and vacuum sources — made to your drawing. Send your specs and our engineers review manufacturability before quoting.
Where LaB₆ Boride Ceramics Are Used
Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) is used as the thermionic cathode in electron and ion-beam instruments — electron microscopes, e-beam systems, X-ray sources and vacuum electron devices — where high brightness, stable emission and long service life matter. ADCERAX makes LaB₆ cathodes and emitters to your gun geometry.
Electron Microscopy (SEM / TEM)
Application：LaB₆ cathodes provide the electron source in SEM and TEM columns, delivering a bright, stable beam for high-resolution imaging and analysis.
- Why LaB₆:
- Higher brightness than tungsten for finer resolution
- Lower work function → strong emission at lower operating temperature
- Longer, more stable service life → fewer cathode changes and less downtime
- Consistent emission for repeatable imaging and analysis
Surface Analysis & Instruments (Auger, mass spec)
Application：LaB₆ cathodes provide the electron source in surface-analysis and analytical instruments — Auger spectroscopy, mass spectrometers and electron-impact sources — where a stable, well-defined beam is essential.
- Why LaB₆
- Bright, stable beam for sensitive, repeatable measurements
- Lower work function → strong emission at lower temperature, less thermal drift
- Long service life → stable calibration and fewer interruptions
- Consistent emission for reliable analytical results
Electron-Beam Systems (lithography, welding, evaporation)
Application：LaB₆ cathodes are the electron source in electron-beam systems — e-beam lithography, welding, evaporation and surface treatment — delivering a focused, high-current beam.
- Why LaB₆
- High, stable beam current for consistent process results
- Lower work function → strong emission at lower operating temperature
- Longer service life → fewer source changes and less tool downtime
- Reproducible emission for repeatable process control
X-ray & Vacuum Electron Devices
Application：LaB₆ cathodes act as the electron emitter in X-ray sources, vacuum tubes and other vacuum electron devices, giving a stable beam at high operating temperature.
- Why LaB₆:
- Stable emission at high temperature for consistent X-ray / beam output
- Lower work function → strong emission without excessive heater power
- Long, reliable service life in sealed / vacuum operation
- Robust, machinable ceramic body suited to compact device geometries
Send your electron-gun type, emitter geometry and operating conditions — our engineers review manufacturability befor
Custom Boride Ceramic Parts and Engineering Support
We make custom LaB₆ boride ceramic parts to your drawing — tubes, rods, rings, plates and emitter geometries to your dimensions and operating conditions. Send your specs for a manufacturability review.
Customization Options
Tube, rod, ring and plate diameters, wall thickness and emitter tip sizes to your spec.
Tight dimensional and concentricity control on emitter geometry and mounting features.
Emitter tips, cones, flats, chamfers and bores machined to your drawing.
Material grade and stabilizer selected to suit your emission and lifetime needs.
Fine grinding and lapping of emitting and contact surfaces to your roughness spec.
Customization Process
Send your drawing, CAD file or sample with the material grade, dimensions, tolerances, quantity and your electron-gun type and emitter geometry. Our engineers review the design and reply with a quotation.
Once the quote is approved, we make samples (1–50 pcs) if needed for fit and performance validation before batch production.
We produce your LaB₆ parts by pressing, sintering and diamond machining, then grinding or lapping the emitting surfaces. Each batch passes dimensional, density and surface-finish inspection.
Finished parts are protectively packed to guard fragile emitters and shipped via DHL, FedEx, UPS or your preferred carrier, with inspection documentation on request.
China Boride Ceramic Manufacturer
ADCERAX is a China-based boride ceramic manufacturer specializing in lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆). We supply LaB₆ cathode tubes, rods, rings and plates for electron microscopes, e-beam systems, X-ray sources and vacuum electron devices — made to your drawing with consistent quality, helping buyers keep critical equipment running reliably.
We make LaB₆ parts in-house — powder processing, pressing, sintering, diamond machining and inspection under one roof.
Professional team providing comprehensive technical support and collaborative design
Small batch orders to large-scale production with complex geometries and tight tolerances
Fast sampling and quotation; lead time confirmed per order.
ADCERAX integrates powder preparation, hot pressing/sintering, diamond machining, brazing and inspection into a single workflow for LaB₆ boride ceramics — from prototype samples to repeat production.
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Precision Machining & Shaping:
LaB₆ parts are produced to tight dimensional tolerances with fine-grain density and clean edges — cathode tubes, rods, rings and plates machined to your emitter geometry. -
Emission & Dimensional Consistency:
Each batch is checked for density, dimensions and surface finish, helping ensure stable emission and consistent service life in electron microscopes, e-beam, X-ray and vacuum electron sources. -
Engineering & Application Support:
ADCERAX engineers help with LaB₆ grade selection, optimise emitter geometry and mounting, and match your part to your electron-gun, e-beam or vacuum-system requirements.
ADCERAX produces high-performance LaB₆ boride ceramics with controlled processing, sintering, precision diamond machining and strict inspection — built for dimensional stability and stable, long-life emission in electron, e-beam, X-ray and vacuum sources.
| Manufacturing Capabilities Overview | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Item | Typical Value / Description | ||
| Material Grades | LaB₆ high-density, fine-grain grades for thermionic emission | ||
| Dimension Range | From Ø3–10 mm pellets/discs to tubes, rings, nozzles and blocks up to ~150 mm, key dimensions held to ±0.02–0.05 mm. | ||
| Forming Methods | Hot pressing or isostatic pressing plus vacuum sintering, followed by CNC diamond grinding, turning and drilling. | ||
| Processing | Controlled high-temperature sintering in vacuum or inert gas to ~2000 °C for low porosity and stable properties. | ||
| Surface Finish | Working faces ground to about Ra 0.4–0.8 µm; critical sealing or emission areas lapped to Ra ≤ 0.1 µm. | ||
FAQs About Boride Ceramic
Our boride ceramic focus is lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) — a thermionic emitter used as cathodes and emitters in electron microscopes, e-beam systems, X-ray sources and vacuum electron devices. We supply LaB₆ as cathode tubes, rods, rings and plates, machined to your emitter geometry.
LaB₆ has a lower work function than tungsten, so it emits strongly at a lower operating temperature and gives higher brightness for finer resolution. It also offers longer, more stable service life — fewer cathode changes and less downtime — which is why instruments upgrade from tungsten to LaB₆.
It depends on size and geometry. We typically hold outer dimensions and critical thicknesses to about ±0.05 mm, with tighter tolerances reviewed on request. Emitter tips and flats can be diamond-ground and lapped for smooth, consistent emitting surfaces.
LaB₆ tolerates repeated heating and cooling well when ramp rates are controlled. We recommend gradual ramp-up and ramp-down to minimise thermal stress and protect emitter life; avoid sudden temperature jumps.
LaB₆ emitters are typically brazed to refractory-metal holders, mechanically clamped, or fitted into carriers. Send your gun design and we'll propose mounting geometry and clearances that manage the CTE difference between LaB₆ and the holder.
Send your electron-gun or instrument type, the emitter geometry (tip or flat size, cone, bore), the mounting/base, operating temperature, vacuum level and beam current, whether it must replace an existing cathode, and the quantity. We then confirm manufacturability and quote.
Service life depends on operating temperature, vacuum quality, current density and handling, so it varies by system. LaB₆ is chosen for long, stable emission — tell us your operating conditions and we'll advise on the geometry for a long, predictable life.
Often yes. Send the drawing, or a sample/photo of your current cathode with its gun type and mounting, and we'll reproduce or adapt the geometry to fit your instrument.
Check that the supplier manufactures in-house (powder processing, pressing, sintering, diamond machining and inspection), can match your exact emitter geometry, offers engineering review and inspection documentation, and supports both small batches and repeat production. ADCERAX covers the full process and quotes after a manufacturability review.
Yes. We handle prototypes, small batches and repeat production, and can combine several LaB₆ part forms in one order. Send your list and drawings and we'll quote together.
What to Send for a LaB₆ Cathode RFQ
Start with a drawing and operating conditions — or send a sketch or a photo of your existing cathode and we’ll flag the missing dimensions.
- 2D/3D drawing, sketch or photo of the existing cathode
- Emitter geometry: tip or flat size, cone angle, bore
- Tolerances, surface finish and flatness on emitting faces
- Operating temperature, thermal cycling and vacuum level
- Beam current / emission requirement (if known)
- Mounting / base: how it fixes into the electron gun
- Quantity, prototype vs repeat, packing / documents
- Start form: tube, rod, ring, plate or custom
We check material grade, mounting fit and key tolerances before quoting, so the cathode fits your gun.
*Our team will answer your inquiries within 24 hours.
*Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
info@adcerax.com
Telephone: +(86) 0731-74427743
WhatsApp: +(86) 19311583352
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