Thermal properties of boron-rich borides

The specific heats of β-B and of B/sub 4/C have been reviewed, and measurements of a different sample of B/sub 4/C have been carried out below 80 K. A specific heat anomaly observed previously in boron carbides has been shown to be extrinsic in origin. The thermal conductivity of B/sub 1-x/ C/sub x/, for x ≤ 0.20, between 0.2 and 2000 K has also been reviewed, and recent measurements have been added. The magnitude and temperature dependence of the conductivity are somewhat similar to what is expected for amorphous boron, except for the characteristic plateau which is not clearly discernible. A possible explanation for the strong phonon scattering is discussed