What is a Lanthanum Hexaboride plate used for?

A Lanthanum Hexaboride plate is used as a machinable blank or functional ceramic component for electron-source assemblies, cathode inserts, emitter faces, electron-gun parts and selected vacuum conductive ceramic components. It is chosen when low work function, high-temperature stability and vacuum-compatible electron emission behavior are required.

Can a LaB6 plate replace a tungsten emitter or cathode component?

A LaB6 plate may replace selected tungsten-based emitter components when the equipment design, heating method, vacuum condition and holder geometry support LaB6 operation. It should not be treated as a direct drop-in replacement without reviewing operating temperature, contact design, surface condition, conditioning procedure and contamination risk.

Should I choose single-crystal or polycrystalline LaB6 plate?

Single-crystal LaB6 plate is usually preferred when crystal orientation, emission uniformity and reproducible conditioning behavior are important. Polycrystalline LaB6 plate may be suitable for refurbishment, test builds or non-orientation-critical parts where cost, availability and machinable geometry are the main concerns.

What drawing details are needed for a custom LaB6 plate?

A useful drawing should include length, width, thickness, tolerances, flatness, parallelism, functional faces, edge requirements, holes, slots, datum references and marking rules. If the plate will be clamped or heated through a specific holder, the drawing should also show the contact area and any surfaces that must remain polished or protected.

How does surface finish affect LaB6 plate performance?

Surface finish affects seating, heater contact, thermal distribution, contamination behavior and emission conditioning. A ground or polished functional face may help improve contact stability, while uncontrolled scratches, pits or abrasive marks can create local stress points or unstable emission areas.

Why do LaB6 plates crack or fail during use?

Common causes include edge chipping during handling, point loading from a rough holder, over-tightened clamps, rapid temperature changes, contamination before vacuum operation and uneven thermal contact. Proper drawing review, edge protection, clean handling and controlled heat-up can reduce these risks.

How should LaB6 plates be packaged and stored?

LaB6 plates should be stored individually in clean, dry and labeled compartments. Polished faces and sharp edges should be protected from contact, dust, oil and vibration. Direct stacking should be avoided because hidden micro-chips may later grow into cracks during assembly or heating.

Custom LaB6 Plate for Electron Source Parts

Name: Custom LaB6 Plate for Electron Source Components
Brand: ADCERAX
SKU: AT-LB-A2001

A Lanthanum Hexaboride Plate (LaB6 plate) is a dense boride-ceramic plate used as a machinable blank or functional component in thermionic electron emission assemblies. It is machined into electron-gun cathode/emitter parts, where controlled thickness, flatness, surface finish, and edge integrity support stable emission in high-vacuum, high-temperature operation.

Why Choose ADCERAX Lanthanum Hexaboride Plate

LaB6 plate is not usually purchased as a simple flat ceramic sheet. It is often part of an electron-source design where small differences in thickness, surface finish, edge condition or holder contact can affect installation and operating stability. ADCERAX focuses on the practical details that matter during machining, assembly, inspection and repeat purchasing.

Controlled plate geometry for assembly fit: Thickness, flatness and parallelism can be reviewed according to the drawing, helping the plate seat properly in holders or fixtures without excessive rework.
Functional surface preparation: Ground, fine-ground or polished surfaces can be specified for contact faces, seating areas or emission-related surfaces where surface condition may influence operation.
Edge protection for fragile ceramic parts: Chamfers, edge breaks or small radii can reduce corner chipping during handling, shipment and mechanical clamping.
Single-crystal and polycrystalline options: Single-crystal LaB6 can be reviewed when crystal orientation and emission consistency are important, while polycrystalline LaB6 may be suitable for test builds, replacement parts or non-orientation-critical applications.
Drawing-based repeatability: Dimensions, datum faces, surface finish and marking rules can be documented to support repeat orders and future replacement programs.

Lanthanum Hexaboride Plate Properties

Lanthanum Hexaboride Ceramics (LaB6)
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.

Lanthanum Hexaboride Plate Specifications

Lanthanum Hexaboride Plate
Item No.	Size / Thickness
AT-LB-A2001	Customize

LaB6 Plate Packaging

Individual compartment protection to prevent plate-to-plate contact.
Cushioned shock isolation around corners and edges, which are the highest chip-risk areas.

Lanthanum Hexaboride Plate Applications

Electron Gun Cathode and Emitter Plate Blanks

LaB6 plates can be machined into cathode inserts, emitter faces or conductive ceramic elements for electron-gun designs. Buyers choose Lanthanum Hexaboride when low work function, high-temperature stability and vacuum-compatible emission behavior are required. The final part should be reviewed together with the holder design, heater contact, surface finish and conditioning process.

SEM, TEM and EPMA Electron Source Refurbishment

For refurbishment programs, LaB6 plate blanks may be used to replace worn or damaged emitter-related components in existing electron-source assemblies. In this application, the plate must match the original holder geometry, thickness requirement and surface condition so that installation can proceed without repeated fitting adjustments.

X-Ray Source and Electron Beam Components

Lanthanum Hexaboride plates may be reviewed for selected X-ray source and electron beam components where stable conductive ceramic behavior is needed under vacuum or controlled atmosphere. ADCERAX focuses on the drawing features that affect alignment, contact, surface cleanliness and safe packaging before shipment.

Plasma Source and Vacuum Discharge Components

In plasma source or vacuum discharge test systems, LaB6 plate components may be selected when metal parts may deform, evaporate or contaminate the working zone. The plate design should be reviewed together with clamping method, heat-up rate, contact material and vacuum condition to reduce cracking or unstable operation.

Electron-Source Prototype Development

Research and development teams may use LaB6 plates to test emitter geometry, plate thickness, functional face finish or heating-interface design. Custom plate blanks help engineers compare different design versions while keeping the material type and inspection baseline consistent across prototype runs.

Usage Instructions for LaB6 Plate

Installation

Handle each LaB6 plate with clean gloves, ceramic tweezers, or dedicated non-contaminating tools.
Check the thickness, flatness, edge condition, and orientation mark before installation.
Make sure the holder contact surface is clean, smooth, and free from burrs, particles, or metal debris.
Avoid point loading, uneven clamping, and direct sharp metal contact against the plate edge.
Tighten clamps or screws gradually and symmetrically if mechanical fixation is used.

Operation

Follow the equipment manufacturer’s vacuum and conditioning procedure before full-power operation.
Increase temperature in controlled steps to reduce thermal shock risk.
Monitor heater power, emission current, and vacuum condition during initial operation.
Avoid vibration, impact, or mechanical adjustment while the LaB6 plate is hot.
Record operating parameters for each replacement plate to support future batch comparison.

Cleaning and Handling

Do not touch polished or functional faces directly.
Use clean and lint-free materials when dust removal is required.
Avoid abrasive wiping, metal scraping, or aggressive mechanical cleaning unless controlled rework is planned.
If solvent cleaning is allowed by your internal process, use high-purity solvent and dry the plate completely before vacuum installation.
Inspect edges and corners under magnification after cleaning or handling.

Storage

Store LaB6 plates individually in clean compartments or protective trays.
Do not stack plates directly against each other.
Keep unused plates away from oil, moisture, dust, solvents, and strong chemical vapors.
Label each package with material type, part number, drawing number, or batch code when repeat ordering is expected.

Lanthanum Hexaboride Plate FAQ

What is a Lanthanum Hexaboride plate used for?
A Lanthanum Hexaboride plate is used as a machinable blank or functional ceramic component for electron-source assemblies, cathode inserts, emitter faces, electron-gun parts and selected vacuum conductive ceramic components. It is chosen when low work function, high-temperature stability and vacuum-compatible electron emission behavior are required.
Can a LaB6 plate replace a tungsten emitter or cathode component?
A LaB6 plate may replace selected tungsten-based emitter components when the equipment design, heating method, vacuum condition and holder geometry support LaB6 operation. It should not be treated as a direct drop-in replacement without reviewing operating temperature, contact design, surface condition, conditioning procedure and contamination risk.
Should I choose single-crystal or polycrystalline LaB6 plate?
Single-crystal LaB6 plate is usually preferred when crystal orientation, emission uniformity and reproducible conditioning behavior are important. Polycrystalline LaB6 plate may be suitable for refurbishment, test builds or non-orientation-critical parts where cost, availability and machinable geometry are the main concerns.
What drawing details are needed for a custom LaB6 plate?
A useful drawing should include length, width, thickness, tolerances, flatness, parallelism, functional faces, edge requirements, holes, slots, datum references and marking rules. If the plate will be clamped or heated through a specific holder, the drawing should also show the contact area and any surfaces that must remain polished or protected.
How does surface finish affect LaB6 plate performance?
Surface finish affects seating, heater contact, thermal distribution, contamination behavior and emission conditioning. A ground or polished functional face may help improve contact stability, while uncontrolled scratches, pits or abrasive marks can create local stress points or unstable emission areas.
Why do LaB6 plates crack or fail during use?
Common causes include edge chipping during handling, point loading from a rough holder, over-tightened clamps, rapid temperature changes, contamination before vacuum operation and uneven thermal contact. Proper drawing review, edge protection, clean handling and controlled heat-up can reduce these risks.
How should LaB6 plates be packaged and stored?
LaB6 plates should be stored individually in clean, dry and labeled compartments. Polished faces and sharp edges should be protected from contact, dust, oil and vibration. Direct stacking should be avoided because hidden micro-chips may later grow into cracks during assembly or heating.

Custom LaB6 Plate for Electron Source Components