HfC
Hafnium carbide · Hafnium monocarbide
Hafnium carbide is a thermodynamically stable, semiconducting ceramic known for its extreme heat resistance and structural reliability.
About Hafnium carbide
Hafnium carbide is a prominent member of the ultra-high-temperature ceramics family, characterized by its exceptional thermodynamic stability. As a semiconducting material, it maintains structural integrity under the most demanding thermal conditions, making it a critical subject of study in materials science.
Its unique combination of properties allows it to withstand extreme environments where conventional materials would fail. This compound is primarily utilized in high-performance aerospace components and specialized industrial applications requiring superior heat resistance and durability.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for Hafnium carbide, aggregated across 4 databases.
Band GapEnergy needed to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. Lower or zero values tend to behave more metallic; larger gaps are more insulating or semiconducting.
Energy Above HullThermodynamic distance from the most stable set of competing phases. 0 eV/atom is on the convex hull; small positive values may still be experimentally accessible.
StabilityA plain-language summary of the best reported energy-above-hull result. It reflects whether the lowest-energy structure is on, near, or far from the stability hull.
StructuresCount of reported calculated crystal structures for this formula, including alternate polymorphs, source databases, and observed space groups.
Synthesis Routes
Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting HfC.
Applications
Where Hafnium carbide is used.
Patent Landscape
2 patents reference HfC or close compositional variants.
| Patent | Title | Assignee | Granted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4084964 | High HfC-containing alloys | — | — |
| 11180419 | Method for preparation of dense HfC(Si)—HfB2 composite ceramic | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hafnium carbide, answered from cross-validated data.
What is HfC?
Hafnium carbide is a thermodynamically stable, semiconducting ceramic known for its extreme heat resistance and structural reliability.
What is HfC used for?
What is the band gap of HfC?
Is HfC a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is HfC thermodynamically stable?
How many polymorphs of HfC are known?
How is HfC synthesized?
What elements does HfC contain?
Where does the data for HfC come from?
How It Compares
Within the ultra-high-temperature ceramics class.
Within the class of ultra-high-temperature ceramics, HfC stands out as a highly stable and well-documented compound compared to complex phases like Hf3N4 or HfN2. It shares the characteristic durability of ZrC, serving as a foundational material for high-temperature structural engineering.
Related Compounds
Other Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramics in the database.
Data sources & attribution
- latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform
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