What Are The Mechanical Properties Of Aluminium Dodecaboride?

Aluminium dodecaboride (AlB12) is a ceramic material that exhibits excellent mechanical properties such as high hardness, high strength, and good wear resistance.

1. Hardness: AlB12 has a high Vickers hardness of around 30 GPa, which is comparable to that of diamond. This makes it one of the hardest materials known.

2. Strength: AlB12 also has a high compressive strength of around 5 GPa, which is much higher than most other ceramics. It also exhibits good tensile strength and flexural strength.

3. Wear resistance: AlB12 has excellent wear resistance due to its high hardness and strength. It is also resistant to chemical erosion and thermal shock.

4. Thermal properties: AlB12 has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, which means that it can withstand large temperature variations without warping or cracking. It also has a high thermal conductivity, making it useful in high-temperature applications.

5. Electrical properties: AlB12 is an electrical insulator, which makes it useful in applications where electrical conductivity needs to be avoided.

Overall, the combination of high hardness, strength, and wear resistance make AlB12 a promising material for use in cutting tools, wear-resistant coatings, and other industrial applications where high durability is required.