Is Tantalum Diboride Easily Oxidized In Air？

Experimental materials and methods：

The Tantalum diboridesample was prepared using the solid phase synthesis method. The sample was obtained by mixing Ta2O5 and B powder according to stoichiometric ratio and reacting at 1700℃ for 2 hours. 

Results and discussion

Oxidation behavior of tantalum diboride in air

Through the TGA experiment, it was found that the mass of tantalum diboride increased gradually with the increase of temperature when it was heated in air, indicating that an oxidation reaction occurred. Below 500℃, the oxidation rate is slow; When the temperature rises above 700℃, the oxidation rate is significantly accelerated. In addition, during the oxidation process, the weight loss rate of tantalum diboride reaches about 35%, indicating that the elements Ta and B are involved in the oxidation reaction.

XRD analysis showed that the diffraction peaks of Ta2O5 and B2O3 appeared in the oxidized samples, indicating that Ta and B elements combined with oxygen elements to form Ta2O5 and B2O3, respectively. SEM analysis showed obvious cracks and holes on the surface of oxidized samples caused by the volume expansion of Ta2O5 and B2O3.

Antioxidant measures of tantalum diboride

Aluminizing and boronizing can increase the chemical potential of Ta and B elements with oxygen, thereby reducing the driving force of oxidation. 

Conclusion

This paper studies the oxidation behavior of tantalum diboride in air. It is easy to oxidize in air, and the weight loss rate is about 35%. The oxidation resistance can be effectively improved by surface coating and other measures. More research is needed to understand the antioxidant mechanism and preparation process of tantalum diboride further.

Study on modification of tantalum diboride：

However, tantalum diboride also has some shortcomings, such as brittleness and poor antioxidant properties, which limit its further development in practical applications. Therefore, the modification of tantalum diboride is of great significance. In this paper, the research on doping modification, surface modification, and composite modification of tantalum diboride are reviewed, and the effects of modification on the properties of tantalum diboride are discussed.

C doping modification

C doping can change the microstructure of tantalum diboride and improve its hardness and wear resistance. The results show that with the increase of C content, the hardness of tantalum diboride increases gradually. The hardness reaches the maximum value when the C content reaches a certain value. At the same time, C doping can improve the bending strength and toughness of tantalum diboride.

Si doping modification

Si doping can improve tantalum diboride's oxidation resistance and high-temperature stability. Studies have shown that Si elements can replace Ta atoms in TaB to form a solid solution of Tac-xB-ySi, increasing the chemical potential of Ta and B elements with oxygen and thereby reducing the driving force of oxidation. At the same time, Si doping can also refine the grain of tantalum diboride and improve its mechanical properties.

Surface modification research

Common surface modification methods include coating, metal infiltration, ion implantation, etc.

Coating method

The coating method is to coat the tantalum diboride surface with a layer of material with excellent oxidation resistance and wear resistance to improve its surface properties. Common coating materials include metal coating, ceramic coating and so on. The results show that the coating can improve tantalum diboride's wear and corrosion resistance and reduce the friction coefficient.

Metalizing

The metalizing method penetrates metal atoms into the tantalum diboride surface to form a layer of metal compounds with excellent mechanical and antioxidant properties. Common metalizing materials include Al, Ti, and so on. 

Ion implantation method

The ion implantation method injects high-energy ions into the tantalum diboride surface to form an ion implantation layer with excellent mechanical and antioxidant properties. Common ion implantation materials include N, C, etc. The results show that ion implantation can improve tantalum diboride's hardness and wear resistance and reduce the friction coefficient and oxidation rate.

Composite modification research

Composite modification is a method that combines doping modification and surface modification to improve the comprehensive properties of tantalum diboride. Common composite modification methods include doping + coating, doping + metal infiltration, doping + ion implantation, etc.

Doping + coating composite modification

The results show that combining C doping and coating can further improve the performance of tantalum diboride. C doping can improve tantalum diboride's hardness and wear resistance, and the coating can further improve its oxidation resistance and tribological properties. At the same time, C doping and coating can improve the toughness and fatigue resistance of tantalum diboride.

Doping + metal infiltration composite modification

Combining C doping and metalizing can further improve the performance of tantalum diboride. C doping can improve tantalum diboride's hardness and wear resistance, while metal infiltration can improve its oxidation resistance and high-temperature mechanical properties. At the same time, C doping and metalizing can also improve the toughness and fatigue resistance of tantalum diboride.

Doping + ion implantation composite modification

The performance of tantalum diboride can be further improved by combining C doping with ion implantation. C doping can improve tantalum diboride's hardness and wear resistance, while ion implantation can further improve its oxidation resistance and tribological properties. At the same time, C doping and ion implantation can improve the toughness and fatigue resistance of tantalum diboride.

Market Prospect of tantalum diboride：

The aerospace field is one of the important applications of tantalum diboride. With the continuous development of aerospace technology, aircraft and spacecraft performance requirements are getting higher and higher.  It can replace traditional metal materials, manufacture engine parts, fuel injection systems, heat exchangers, and other key components, improve its high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and other properties, and provide strong support for the development of the aerospace industry.

The mechanical field is also one of the important application areas of tantalum diboride.  Especially at high speeds, high temperatures, high loads, and other harsh working conditions, the advantages of tantalum diboride are more obvious, so in the machinery field, the prospects for tantalum diboride application are very broad.

In addition, the chemical industry is also one of the important areas of application of tantalum diboride. In the chemical industry, tantalum diboride can manufacture various corrosion- and high-temperature-resistant chemical equipment components, such as reactors, heat exchangers, valves, etc. Because tantalum diboride has excellent chemical stability and high-temperature mechanical properties, it can effectively resist the corrosion of various chemical substances and high-temperature oxidation. At the same time, tantalum diboride also has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and, good thermal conductivity, and other characteristics that can better adapt to high temperature, high pressure, high humidity environments, so in the chemical field, tantalum diboride application prospects are also very broad.

In addition to the above areas, with the continuous development of new energy, environmental protection, and other emerging fields, the prospects for tantalum diboride application will also be broader. For example, tantalum diboride can make electrode materials for high-temperature fuel cells and light-absorbing materials for solar cells. In addition, because of its excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability, tantalum diboride can also be used to manufacture a variety of sensors, actuators, and other devices in high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-humidity environments. The development of these emerging areas will bring new opportunities and challenges to the application of tantalum diboride and further expand its market space.

Supplier of tantalum diboride:

Synthetic Chemical Technology Co. Ltd., is an established global chemical material manufacturer and supplier with over 12 years' experience in the production of high-quality nanomaterials. These include tantalum diboride, graphite or sulfide particles, as well as 3D printing powders.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have. (sales5@nanotrun.com)

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