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An unusual phenomenon in the formation of Li5B4 compound-alloy

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Abstract

In the course of scientific development, occasionally a phenomenon is encountered which challenges our understanding and defies a complete explanation. Such a phenomenon occurs in the formation of Li5B4 compound-alloy which is formed by heating (not cooling). The liquid metallic solution of Li and B which exists at low temperature (300 to 450°C) transforms to a metallic solid at high temperature (500 to 550°C). Following the transformation to solid, Li5B4 compound-alloy formation takes place at 550 ± 2°C, accompanied by a heat release of about 2.2 ± 0.3 kcal per gram of B. The compound-alloy thus formed is a totally metallic solid existing from room temperature to 1000°C. Above 1000°C, the compound-alloy sublimes (with Li vaporizing) leaving behind a blackish substance. While these observations are unusual in terms of the wide composition and temperature ranges in which they occur, they are by no means ‘strange’. They are not inconsistent with the thermodynamic principles of phase diagrams and can be interpreted once the whole process is fully characterized.

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  1. Alloy Physics Section, Research and Technology Department, Naval Surface Weapons Center, 20910, Silver Spring, MD

    Frederick E. Wang (Group Leader)

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  1. Frederick E. Wang
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Wang, F.E. An unusual phenomenon in the formation of Li5B4 compound-alloy. Metall Trans A 10, 343–348 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02658343

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02658343

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