Aluminium Diboride
Aluminum diboride is a ceramic compound with the chemical formula AlB2. It has a hexagonal crystal structure and is composed of layers of aluminum and boron atoms that are covalently bonded together.
Aluminum diboride is a high-temperature material with excellent thermal conductivity, which makes it useful for applications such as heat sinks and electrical insulators in electronic devices. It also has high hardness and wear resistance, which make it suitable for use in cutting tools and wear-resistant coatings.
One of the unique properties of aluminum diboride is its superconductivity at low temperatures. It has been observed to exhibit superconductivity at temperatures as high as 20 K (-253°C), making it a promising candidate for use in superconducting wires and other applications that require low-temperature performance.
Production of aluminum diboride typically involves a reaction between aluminum and boron carbide powder at high temperatures. The resulting product is then milled and purified to remove any impurities that may be present.
Overall, aluminum diboride is a versatile material with a range of interesting properties that make it useful in a variety of applications, from electronics to cutting tools and beyond.