Preparation of aluminium boride by powder technology

The problem with using boron in a sintering process is the formation of a surface layer of oxide [Combust., Explosion Shockwaves 10 (1974) 539] which hampers the process. The incorporation of reducing elements into the amorphous boron is done by powder technology. Suitable working conditions were designed to provide sintered boride free of oxide. The reducing elements served the double purpose of forming borides and of avoiding the formation of boric oxide in the first stage of sintering. Hermetically sealed crucibles were designed for the sintering by thermal shock. The source materials were amorphous boron and atomized aluminium.