Microstructure, mechanical, and thermal properties of compositionally complex (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B2‒LaB6 ceramics

Chen, Xin; Trinh, Lanh; Hua, Zilong; Wang, Fei; Zhang, Xiang; Yoo, Yongchul; Bawane, Kaustubh; Lu, Yongfeng; Cui, Bai

doi:10.1111/ijac.70068

Microstructure, mechanical, and thermal properties of compositionally complex (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B₂‒LaB₆ ceramics

Journal Article · Wed Sep 17 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/ijac.70068· OSTI ID:3001040

Chen, Xin ^[1]; Trinh, Lanh ^[1]; ^[2]; Wang, Fei ^[1]; Zhang, Xiang ^[1]; Yoo, Yongchul ^[1]; Bawane, Kaustubh ^[2]; Lu, Yongfeng ^[1]; ^[1]

Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Novel compositionally complex borides, (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B₂ and (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B₂‒LaB₆, were fabricated using spark plasma sintering process. (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B₂‒LaB₆ exhibits a dual-phase microstructure, in which (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B₂ is a primary phase with the hexagonal structure and LaB₆ is a secondary phase with a cubic structure. The mechanical properties of both (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B₂ and (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B₂‒LaB₆ are comparable, with a combination of high hardness and moderate fracture toughness. Thermal diffusivity and conductivity of (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B₂ are much lower than the individual transition metal borides but are significantly increased by the addition of LaB₆. Herein, it is implied that the thermal properties of boride ceramics can be controlled through the appropriate design of principal metal element compositions.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC07-05ID14517

OSTI ID:: 3001040

Report Number(s):: INL/JOU--23-75551

Journal Information:: International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, Journal Name: International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology; ISSN 1744-7402; ISSN 1546-542X

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Microstructure, mechanical, and thermal properties of compositionally complex (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B2‒LaB6 ceramics

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Microstructure, mechanical, and thermal properties of compositionally complex (Hf,Zr,Nb,Ti)B₂‒LaB₆ ceramics