Molten salt shielded synthesis of the nanolaminated transition metal boride Fe2AlB2

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology 2023-04, Vol.125 (11-12), p.5211-5219
• Main Authors: Benamor, Hiba, Benamor, Abdessabour, Chiker, Nabil, Hakem, Maamar, Krea, Mohamed, Bouras, Omar, Sahraoui, Tahar, Hadji, Mohamed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advanced manufacturing technologies; Aluminum; Borides; CAE) and Design; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Engineering; Hot pressing; Industrial and Production Engineering; Ions; Iron; Magnetic properties; Manufacturing; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Molten salts; Original Article; Potassium; Potassium bromides; Scanning electron microscopy; Sintering; Synthesis; Transition metals
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-023-11086-w

Fe 2 AlB 2 is one of many ternary transition metal borides called MAB phases, which attracted interest owing to its magnetocaloric effect and magnetic properties. Herein, the molten salt-shielded synthesis (MS 3 ) of Fe 2 AlB 2 powder is studied using potassium bromide “KBr” in an open-air atmosphere. The synthesis process of the MAB phase, from Fe, Al, and B elemental powders, was studied with and without Sn additive in the temperature range of 900–1200 °C. The obtained powders were analyzed using XRD, TDA, GTA, and SEM analysis. The corresponding results revealed a successful synthesis of nearly pure Fe 2 AlB 2 phase at 1000 °C for only one hour of holding time, beyond which FeB impurities form. These results show the efficiency of KBr (with Sn as a synthesis aid “additive”) in increasing the reactivity of this MAB phase in terms of the lowest synthesis temperature and time reported to date.