A brief historical review of research concerning super-hard materials in the boron suboxide system is described with an emphasis on the synthesis and sintering of hexaboronoxide (B
6O). Authors' investigations of the preparation of B
6O-based super-hard materials are also described along with the formation behavior of B
6O powder in a high temperature reaction between amorphous boron and B
2O
3. The structure and properties of the single phase B
6O sintered compact obtained under high pressure are discussed in reference to the literature. The sintered composites in the B
6O-B
4C and B
6O-cBN systems were prepared under high pressure and temperature conditions (3-6 GPa, 1500-1800Åé). The mechanical properties (hardness and toughness) and chemical stability are related to the phase relationship in the above quasi-two component systems and the microstructures of sintered composites.
抄録全体を表示