hBN (Hexagonal Boron Nitride) vs fouling

[Michael]

I’ve been shooting a lot of slugs lately and I’ve noticed that they foul up the barrel quite a bit faster than pellets.

My quest in finding a solution has led me through barrel polishing, projectile lubing, etc.

Recently I was introduced to a barrel/projectile coating product called hBN (Hexagonal Boron Nitride). Supposedly it has some of the lowest friction on the planet and it claims to fill in the microscopic imperfections.

I took the advice of thoroughly cleaning a barrel to remove all build up/fouling and any petroleum products. Then I mixed the hBN with 99% alcohol, mopped the barrel, let it sit for 20 minutes, then pulled a few dry patches through.

Holy this is some crazy slick stuff!!!

The powder claims to be 0.5 microns, 900° heat resistance, and have super high pressure resistance. There are quite a few long-range powder burners who swear by this stuff, so why not use it on Airguns?

Some say it minimizes their extreme spread, while most say it significantly reduces build up and facilitates a quick easy cleaning.

I’ll probably end up cleaning/coating my projectiles in the same solution then polish (wipe them off) with a microfiber towel. I’ll check back in a few days to share my findings. But if anyone has used this stuff please chime in.

*update - I’m being told that’s in order for the hBN to crystallize and embed properly we should shoot a few (fire-lap) hBN coated projectiles through it after the powder has dried in the bore.



-Michael

 

[manabeknives]

I’ve been shooting a lot of slugs lately and I’ve noticed that they foul up the barrel quite a bit faster than pellets.

My quest in finding a solution has led me through barrel polishing, projectile lubing, etc.

Recently I was introduced to a barrel/projectile coating product called hBN (Hexagonal Boron Nitride). Supposedly it has some of the lowest friction on the planet and it claims to fill in the microscopic imperfections.

View attachment 509892

I took the advice of thoroughly cleaning a barrel to remove all build up/fouling and any petroleum products. Then I mixed the hBN with 99% alcohol, mopped the barrel, let it sit for 20 minutes, then pulled a few dry patches through.

Holy this is some crazy slick stuff!!!

The powder claims to be 0.5 microns, 900° heat resistance, and have super high pressure resistance. There are quite a few long-range powder burners who swear by this stuff, so why not use it on Airguns?

Some say it minimizes their extreme spread, while most say it significantly reduces build up and facilitates a quick easy cleaning.

I’ll probably end up cleaning/coating my projectiles in the same solution then polish (wipe them off) with a microfiber towel. I’ll check back in a few days to share my findings. But if anyone has used this stuff please chime in.



-Michael

How much do you have to use when mixing with alcohol?

 

[Michael]

How much do you have to use when mixing with alcohol?

1/2 tsp : 2 oz alcohol

 

[Michael]

*the picture above shows the hBN drying which is a visually white.

 

[manabeknives]

is to 1 oz size big enough for a few applications?

 

[SilentSquirrel]

Very curious to see how this works out
Thanks for your effort, Michael
Edward

 

[Jaxjax]

I read up on it & super curious what you find out . Looks like a RAW barrel got the treatment.? 5 & 5 x2 mic might just be what someone needs for proper slug fit. I think if barrel & slug are done it would be + .0004, scratch that ..I think it would be + .0008

 

[SilentSquirrel]

Here is the website page for the Micro lubrol product

MicroLubrol - Ultra Performance Lubricants

www.microlubrol.com

Hope this helps
Edward

 

[SilentSquirrel]

is to 1 oz size big enough for a few applications?

I love jumping to conclusions
Try out this leap

Michael's recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon per 2 fl oz of alcohol
The 1 fl oz jar of Microlubrol hBN= 2 Tablespoons =6 teaspoons = 12, 1/2 teaspoons = 12 recipes

EDIT
Amazon says it is a 1 fl oz jar
The Microlubrol website says it is a 1oz by weight jar. 28 grams
So the arithmetic above is incorrect and has been struck out
Sorry!

Edward

 

[Michael]

I read up on it & super curious what you find out . Looks like a RAW barrel got the treatment.? 5 & 5 x2 mic might just be what someone needs for proper slug fit. I think if barrel & slug are done it would be + .0004, scratch that ..I think it would be + .0008

Correct, I just finished the RAW HM1000x 24“ LW barrel.

To prep the barrel I plugged the muzzle and filled the bore with Kroil, after about 10 minutes I drained it then scrubbed the barrel with a nylon brush. I pulled a few patches through then I did a few passes with JB bore paste (nothing too extreme as there were no tight spots), then a few passes with JB bore bright, then I plugged the barrel again and filled the bore with simple green. After draining that I blew it out with compressed air, then pulled a few patches through using a Patchworm. Then I pulled a few patches with 99% alcohol, and finally a few dry patches. This barrel was as clean as it could possibly get .

 

[Michael]

is to 1 oz size big enough for a few applications?

Most definitely. I bought mine from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4CSJCB?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

Another member, not sure if he wishes to be named, said that he went 4 months of “heavy“ shooting before his bore scope told him it was time to reapply hBN to his barrel.

 

[Healthservices]

I used it a while ago, I got some from Amazon, but had no freaking idea how to use it. So I sprinkled some in with my lemon pledge and applied to my slugs. It seem to help as my barrel lasted well over 100 rounds. Before i realized that it was fouling up it almost seemed like I got a bad batch (about 100 per batch) of slugs. Of course life happened and I totally forgot I had the stuff anymore. Besides I had no idea how to apply to a barrel but now I do! Thanks Michael!

This stuff right?

Right now I'm to the point that when the shots start doing funny things I would change the barrel just so I can keep shooting rather than waste my time cleaning my barrel at the range.

Seriously!


Allen

 

[Michael]

I used it a while ago, I got some from Amazon, but had no freaking idea how to use it. So I sprinkled some in with my lemon pledge and applied to my slugs. It seem to help as my barrel lasted well over 100 rounds. Before i realized that it was fouling up it almost seemed like I got a bad batch (about 100 per batch) of slugs. Of course life happened and I totally forgot I had the stuff anymore. Besides I had no idea how to apply to a barrel but now I do! Thanks Michael!

This stuff right?

View attachment 509948

Right now I'm to the point that when the shots start doing funny things I would change the barrel just so I can keep shooting rather than waste my time cleaning my barrel at the range.
View attachment 509953

Seriously!


Allen

Yep, that’s the stuff. Does that brand state how fine it is?

I plan on coating some of my projectiles to test against uncoated ones.

FWIW - I don’t think you need to go to the extreme lengths I did to clean my barrel. The most important thing is that you remove all the fouling and petroleum lubricants.

 

[Healthservices]

Correct, I just finished the RAW HM1000x 24“ LW barrel.

To prep the barrel I plugged the muzzle and filled the bore with Kroil, after about 10 minutes I drained it then scrubbed the barrel with a nylon brush. I pulled a few patches through then I did a few passes with JB bore paste (nothing too extreme as there were no tight spots), then a few passes with JB bore bright, then I plugged the barrel again and filled the bore with simple green. After draining that I blew it out with compressed air, then pulled a few patches through using a Patchworm. Then I pulled a few patches with 99% alcohol, and finally a few dry patches. This barrel was as clean as it could possibly get .

Holey moley, that some serious amount of prep! Maybe I should just do one barrel and see how it works. Better yet maybe I should wait until you report back!

Allen

 

[Healthservices]

I'm supposed to shoot tomorrow and been cleaning barrels all day. Of course I tried something different so I have no idea how long that stuff will last. Well if I can get my azz up early enough I will find out if I did any good. But it sounds like you maybe on to something. I'm tempted to stay up a little later but I'm pretty sure I have no 99% alcohol.

This is what Amazon said about what I bought. I have no idea about the details.

Muy BN - Ultra High Purity h-BN (Hexagonal Boron Nitride) Powder (4 oz Container) https://a.co/d/hFI1T4j

Allen

 

[igolfat8]

I have no experience using HBN but I read that it is compatible with petroleum products.

”FEATURES:
- Compatible with ALL metals, ALL plastics and elastomers, water, solvents, fuels, oils, paints, plastic resins.”

It also says “hBN is hygroscopic, meaning it tends to absorb moisture” so I would think it could rust steel???

 

[Franklink]

A couple friends have played with this stuff. I know that small slugs are much harder to pick up when they've been lubed with it. Slicker than snot.

 

[Nofilters]

I’ve been shooting a lot of slugs lately and I’ve noticed that they foul up the barrel quite a bit faster than pellets.

My quest in finding a solution has led me through barrel polishing, projectile lubing, etc.

Recently I was introduced to a barrel/projectile coating product called hBN (Hexagonal Boron Nitride). Supposedly it has some of the lowest friction on the planet and it claims to fill in the microscopic imperfections.

View attachment 509892

I took the advice of thoroughly cleaning a barrel to remove all build up/fouling and any petroleum products. Then I mixed the hBN with 99% alcohol, mopped the barrel, let it sit for 20 minutes, then pulled a few dry patches through.

Holy this is some crazy slick stuff!!!

The powder claims to be 0.5 microns, 900° heat resistance, and have super high pressure resistance. There are quite a few long-range powder burners who swear by this stuff, so why not use it on Airguns?

Some say it minimizes their extreme spread, while most say it significantly reduces build up and facilitates a quick easy cleaning.

I’ll probably end up cleaning/coating my projectiles in the same solution then polish (wipe them off) with a microfiber towel. I’ll check back in a few days to share my findings. But if anyone has used this stuff please chime in.



-Michael

 

[Motorhead]

Mixed with melted TRIWAX, then used as one might wax a cleaned & dry barrel bore .... best of both worlds perhaps ?

 

[Healthservices]

Mixed with melted TRIWAX, then used as one might wax a cleaned & dry barrel bore .... best of both worlds perhaps ?

Now that maybe an idea. That way it has a medium to attach to and the wax will bond itself to the slugs. Then again if it will mix with alcohol and put a very thin coating onto the slugs maybe thats all it needs?

I don't have alcohol but I do have some wax.

Allen