Unravelling formation mechanism, thermal and oxidation stabilities of layered sub-micron MAB phase WAlB synthesized at open atmosphere

Abstract

With the high melting point, good thermal and electrical conductivities, a less explored layered MAB phase WAlB may prove beneficial for futuristic applications. In this present paper, a successful synthesis method of highly pure WAlB phase under an open atmosphere following the molten salt route is reported. In this method, a two-step heating profile was used to produce sub-micron sized particles. Template growth of layer WAlB from layered W–Al intermetallics is revealed after careful examination using XRD, SEM, and thermal analysis. The WAlB phase was found thermally stable until 800 °C under an inert atmosphere and until 500 °C under an open atmosphere after investigating the respective XRD, thermal analysis, and SEM data.