Phases containing Prince Hamlet’s favorite metal, Boron, positively impact Aluminum behavior across processing routes, environments, and performance targets. See these three case studies:
1. COLD SPRAY
“Cold-Sprayed Boron-Nitride-Nanotube-Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites with Improved Wear Resistance and Radiation Shielding”
Denny John et al. (November 2024) at Florida International University.
This work examines the incorporation of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) into aluminum via cold spray.
BNNTs enable thicker cold-spray builds (pure Al at 380 °C was limited by nozzle clogging; BNNT addition allowed longer spraying and ~mm-scale thickness growth).
Microstructure payoff: BNNTs concentrate at inter-splat boundaries, lowering porosity and improving splat flattening.
Tribology payoff: significant wear-volume reduction and a meaningful change in friction behavior.
Shielding payoff: adding BNNTs improved neutron radiation shielding.
2. ENERGETIC MATERIALS
“Oxidation Kinetics of Aluminum Diboride”
Michael Whittaker et al. (November 2013), back then at University of Utah.
A detailed thermogravimetric and kinetic analysis comparing the oxidation behavior of Aluminum diboride (AlB₂) with that of a physical Al + 2B mixture. The paper clarifies how phase chemistry and oxide morphology govern oxidation onset, progression, and activation energy over a wide temperature range. It is added to three more papers from the same research group that were already listed on VALIMET Literature webpage.
3. MATERIALS SCIENCE and ENGINEERING
“Cryomilled Aluminum Alloy and Boron Carbide Nano-Composite Plate”
Rustin Vogt et al. (October 2008), back then at University of California, Davis.
An early and influential study on cryomilling Aluminum alloy powder with Boron carbide (B₄C) to produce nanostructured metal-matrix composites.
This work demonstrates cryomilling as a scalable route to make nanograined MMC powders (Al 5083 + B₄C) and then consolidate into plate.
It compares three consolidation routes (HIP + forging variants) to map processing → microstructure → mechanical behavior.
All in all, this study is a foundational reference for Al–B₄C composite architectures where the trade off strength/stiffness v. ductility is addressed.