Synthesis and Characterization of an Alumina Forming Nanolaminated Boride: MoAlB

The 'MAlB' phases are nanolaminated, ternary transition metal borides that consist of a transition metal boride sublattice interleaved by monolayers or bilayers of pure aluminum. However, their synthesis and properties remain largely unexplored. Herein, we synthesized dense, predominantly single-phase samples of one such compound, MoAlB, using a reactive hot pressing method. High-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of two Al layers in between a Mo-B sublattice. Unique among the transition metal borides, MoAlB forms a dense, mostly amorphous, alumina scale when heated in air. Like other alumina formers, the oxidation kinetics follow a cubic time-dependence. At room temperature, its resistivity is low (0.36-0.49 mu Omega m) and - like a metal - drops linearly with decreasing temperatures. It is also a good thermal conductor (35 Wm(-1)K(-1) at 26 degrees C). In the 25-1300 degrees C temperature range, its thermal expansion coefficient is 9.5 x 10(-6) K-1. Preliminary results suggest the compound is stable to at least 1400 degrees C in inert atmospheres. Moderately low Vickers hardness values of 10.6 +/- 0.3 GPa, compared to other transition metal borides, and ultimate compressive strengths up to 1940 +/- 103 MPa were measured at room temperature. These results are encouraging and warrant further study of this compound for potential use at high temperatures.