Fast Synthesis of Fine Boron Carbide Powders Using Electromagnetic Induction Synthesis Method

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In this work, fine boron carbide powders were synthesized using an electro- magnetic induction synthesis method, and the relationship between preparation temperature and crystalline phase, microstructure, specific surface area and oxidation resistance were discussed. The paper can be accepted after a minor revision. And the detailed comments and suggestions were listed as follows.

(1) For sample No.1, why B2O3 was formed in the sample. Moreover, the sublimation of B2O3 starts at about 1100 degree C, rather than 1500 degree C.

(2) How is the product yield of the method? In addition, after the preparation, should the final product be milled or not?

(3) Table 2, the SEM grain size is much larger than that average particle size, please explain the reason. Moreover, the size distribution histogram of the SEM grain should be supplemented.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Please, find the Attachment.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Boron carbide is an important material both for use in industry and for fundamental materials science. Search of new and more efficient methods to synthesize boron carbides is an actual problem, which is well presented in the introduction. The study was carried out using modern equipment and all conclusions are in agreement with the results of experiments.

There are two questions that remain unclear after reading:  

1.    Are in fig. 3 presented experimental spectra? Or are they fited profiles?

2.    Why are the particles not regular faceted (fig. 4)?  

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

All the Comments are rigorously responded.