Preparation of Cast Mo₂B₅ by Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis Metallurgy Methods

Abstract—

This paper reports the preparation of cast dimolybdenum pentaboride by a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) metallurgy method. Experiments were carried out in SHS reactors at an initial excess gas (Ar) pressure p₀ = 5 MPa. In the experiments, we used thermite-type starting mixtures consisting of molybdenum oxide, aluminum, boron oxide, and elemental boron powders. The combustion of such mixtures yields two types of final product: Mo₂B₅ and Al₂O₃. The combustion temperatures of the starting mixtures used in our experiments have been shown to exceed the melting points of the final products, which are thus formed in a liquid (cast) state. Under the effect of gravity, the heavier phase Mo₂B₅ settles down to form a lower ingot, whereas the lighter phase Al₂O₃ forms an upper ingot. The synthesis products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and local microstructural analysis. The results demonstrate that the composition and amount of the starting mixture have a significant effect on the synthesis parameters and the composition and microstructure of the Mo₂B₅. We have optimized conditions for the preparation of single-phase cast dimolybdenum pentaboride.