Boride Information Center

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A Boride is a chemical compound between boron and a less electronegative element. Borides are all hard, high-melting materials with metal-like conductivity. They can be made by direct combination of the elements at high temperatures or, more usually, by high-temperature reduction of a mixture of the metal oxide and boron oxide using carbon or aluminium. Chemically, they are stable to nonoxidizing acids but are attacked by strong oxidizing agents and by strong alkalis. The borides can be classified loosely as boron rich or metal rich. The generally accepted definition is that if the ratio of boron atoms to metal atoms is 4:1 or more the compound is boron rich, if it is less, then it is metal rich.

Boron rich borides properties vary from one compound to the next, and include examples of compounds that are semi conductors, superconductors, diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic or anti-ferromagnetic. They are mostly stable and refractory. LaB6 is an inert refractory compound, used in hot cathodes because of its low work function for emission of electrodes; YB66 crystals, grown by a indirect-heating floating zone method, are used as monochromators for low-energy synchrotron X-rays.

Borides formed with transition metals tend to form metal rich borides. Metal-rich borides, as a group, are inert and have high melting temperature. Some are easily formed and this explains their use in making turbine blades and rocket nozzles. Recent investigations into these borides have revealed a wealth of interesting properties such as super conductivity at 39 K in MgB2 and the ultra-incompressibility of OsB2 and ReB2.

Purities include 99%, 99.9%, 99.99%, 99.999% and 99.9999% which are sometimes referred to as 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N and 6N.

Physical properties may include nanopowder, nano particle, submicron, - 325 mesh, rod, foil, and high surface area carbonate with particle distribution and particle size controlled and certified. We produce larger - 40 mesh, - 100 mesh, -200 mesh range sizes and < 0.5 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm and other mm size shot, granules, lump, flake and pieces, too.

American Elements maintains industrial scale production for all its boride products.

American Elements will execute Non-Disclosure or Confidentiality Agreements to protect customer know-how.

Please select a Boride Material from the table: