Surface hardened carbon material and process of manufacturing

A carbon material is formed by heat-treating a carbonaceous material in a reaction mix of oxides of boron and boron nitride in a nitrogen atmosphere to temperatures of 1600 to 2000° C. The surface of the carbonaceous material is transformed into a carbon material that is resistant to oxidation to temperatures of 900° C., enabling machined components to be utilized for weeks at that temperature. The carbon material is also stable in inert or vacuum environments to temperatures in the range of 1500 to 2000° C., enabling its use as aluminum evaporative boats and the like.