Abstract: Boron with high thermal neutron capture cross section can be used to detect fracturing fractures in oil and gas downhole. The effects of different amounts of B₄C (mass fraction of 1%, 5%, and 10%, respectively) on the structure and performance of the fracturing proppant were investigated by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy spectrum analysis (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and inductively coupled atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The results show that when the adding amount of B₄C is 1%, its main phase is corundum. The breakage ratio and volume density under the 69 MPa pressure are 5.4% and 1.66 g·cm^-3, respectively. When the B₄C adding amount of is at 5% or 10%, the boron oxide generated by oxidation of B₄C reacts with alumina to form aluminum borate whiskers, and the corundum phase is reduced. Carbon dioxide and boron oxide from the oxidation of B₄C evaporated, form a porous structure of the proppant, and result in an increase of the breakage ratio and a decrease in bulk density.

Key words: B₄C, fracturing proppant, fracturing fracture, isotope labeling, breakage ratio