Boride ceramics

Thus, this contribution is aimed at the state of the art in boride ceramics with their problems in densification, microstructural peculiarities and exceptional mechanical properties. Starting with the unique interaction of metallic, covalent and ionic types of bonding and the crystal structures of technically important compounds, phase diagrams will be presented as far as they are of technical interest. The major part consists of the description of the synthesis and properties of ceramics and cermets, reflecting the development of suitable sintering procedures and the consequent improvement of the thermal and mechanical properties. 

In conclusion, boride ceramics are materials of high potential for use in mechanical and electric fields. Due to the stagnating materials markets, however, most research on borides is focused on the basic questions of atomic bonding and physical transport properties rather than on application-related problems. Only a few highly specialized research groups are active worldwide and promote the science rather than the technology of borides. Depending upon the economic situation and the... 

Boride ceramics also appear to have improved oxidation resistance over those of carbides and nitrides, the nature of which is discussed in the following section. 

It is stated that production figures should be similar for 2000 with a slight increase possible. The principal producers include Advanced Ceramics Corp. (formerly Union Carbide/Praxair Advanced Ceramics) and Carborundum Co. in the United States Boride Ceramics Composites Ltd. in the United Kingdom ... 

The major producers of titanium diboride are Advanced Refractory Technologies, Advanced Ceramics Corp., and Cerac in the United States, H.C. Starck and Electroschmeltzwerk Kempten in Germany, Denka in Japan, and Borides Ceramics and Composites in the UK. 

IR. A. Cutler. Engineering Properties of Borides. Ceramics and Glasses, Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 4. Edited by S. J. Schneider Jr. ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 1991 787-803. 

Borides Ceramic compounds between boron and a less electronegative element. Carbides Ceramic compounds made of carbon and aless electronegative element. Mechano-Chemical Activation Ball milling treatment of a reactants mixture to increase its reactivity. 

Loboda, P. I., Bogomol, 1.1. (2002). The thermal stability of the directionally reinforced boride ceramics microstructure. Ceramics, 69,117-124. 

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