Borides

A boride is a binary compound of electronegative boron with an electropositive element or radical. Borides comprise a large group of compounds and are stable. They are high melting, hard and non-ionic in nature. They possess semiconducting and superconducting properties. Few representative examples are MgB2, TiB2, ZrB2, CrB, MoB, SiB3 and WB. Metal-rich borides (e.g. TiB2) can have higher conductivities than parent metals.

Borides are used in making turbine blades, rocket nozzles, cutting tools, and cathode materials. Metallic borides find use in the ceramic industry. Borides are being used in organic synthesis, for example, Nickel boride (Ni2B) is an efficient catalyst and reducing agent, the activity being dependant on the method of manufacture. Ni2B is also used as a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst. Boride diffusion coatings on steel possess high hardness and wear resistance. Transition metal borides have attractive features such as high strength and can withstand high temperatures.