TIB2-ALN
Matrix
TIB2-ALN = tiB₂–AlN
Use the AlN(–BN) evaporation-boat formulation for vacuum aluminium metallising: resistive heating, resistance to molten-aluminium wetting and better thermal shock resistance than the plain boride.
Values for the TIB2-ALN condition
Other TiB2 tempers and conditions
TiB2 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at TiB2.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TIB2-ALNThis page TiB₂–AlN | Use the AlN(–BN) evaporation-boat formulation for vacuum aluminium metallising: resistive heating, resistance to molten-aluminium wetting and better thermal shock resistance than the plain boride. | — | 65 | 0.07 | 900 HV | 60 W/m·K |
TiB₂–SiC | Choose the 10–30 vol % SiC particulate addition to refine grain size and raise strength and oxidation resistance for armour and high-temperature wear parts. | — | 350 | 0.12 | 2,800 HV | 80 W/m·K |
TiB₂–BN | Use the hexagonal BN addition when the part must be turned and milled directly with carbide tooling — continuous-casting break rings and molten-metal sizing components. | — | — | — | 600 HV | 45 W/m·K |
Pressureless sintered TiB₂ with sintering aids | Choose pressureless sintering with aids at 95–97 % density for large or complex parts such as aluminium reduction cell cathode blocks, accepting slightly lower strength and hardness. | — | — | — | 2,500 HV | 70 W/m·K |
HPDefault Hot-pressed TiB₂, ≥98 % purity, ~99 % dense | Default fully dense grade at ≥98 % purity and about 99 % density for wear parts, wire-drawing dies, molten-aluminium contact components and electrodes. | — | — | — | 3,000 HV | 90 W/m·K |
Hot isostatic pressed | Pick hot isostatic pressing at ≥99 % purity and >99.5 % density for the highest strength and lowest porosity — armour panels and complex, highly stressed wear parts. | — | — | — | 3,300 HV | 100 W/m·K |
What is TIB2-ALN?
TIB2-ALN is TiB2 in the TIB2-ALN condition — use the AlN(–BN) evaporation-boat formulation for vacuum aluminium metallising: resistive heating, resistance to molten-aluminium wetting and better thermal shock resistance than the plain boride. The elastic modulus is 180 GPa (26.1 Msi). TIB2-ALN has a density of 3.4 g/cm³ (0.123 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,225°C (5,837 °F). HP is the default condition FabDigit quotes; TIB2-ALN is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 30/100, better than 85% of ceramic grades
- High service temperature — 1,400°C (2,552 °F), better than 77% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 25 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 78% of ceramic grades
TIB2-ALN properties
Typical room-temperature values for TIB2-ALN; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are TiB2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
TIB2-ALN has a density of 3.4 g/cm³ (0.123 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,225°C (5,837 °F).
Mechanical10
The elastic modulus is 180 GPa (26.1 Msi).
Thermal5
TIB2-ALN is rated for continuous service to 1,400°C (2,552 °F). It conducts heat at 60 W/m·K (34.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 6.6 µm/m·K (3.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
TIB2-ALN has an electrical resistivity of 1.5×10⁻⁵ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), worse than 67% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of TIB2-ALN takes about 350 MJ of energy and emits 25 kg of CO₂ — more than 81% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
TIB2-ALN's machinability is poor (30/100, better than 85% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with TIB2-ALN
Is TiB2 easy to machine?
After sintering only diamond grinding and lapping apply, but the low electrical resistivity allows wire and sinker EDM — the main machining advantage of TiB₂ over other ultra-hard ceramics.
Can TiB2 be welded?
Not fusion weldable; join to metals by active brazing with Ti- or Zr-bearing fillers, or by mechanical clamping. Match thermal expansion to avoid cracking.
Can TiB2 be formed, bent or molded?
Near-net shape comes from cold isostatic pressing of powder plus pressureless sintering, or hot pressing in graphite dies at 1800–2000 °C and 20–30 MPa; HIP is used for fully dense complex parts.
What surface finishes work on TiB2?
Diamond lapping and polishing reach Ra < 0.1 µm. No plating or painting; SiC or oxide coatings can be added to suppress oxidation above 900 °C.
TiB2 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Bstoichiometric TiB₂ | 30 – 31.5 | 31.1 |
| Cresidual from carbothermal synthesis | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Osurface oxide on powder | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Femilling pickup | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| N | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Ti≈68.9 wt % nominal | balance | — |
TIB2-ALN — frequently asked
What is TIB2-ALN used for?
TIB2-ALN is typically used for evaporation boats for metallizing, cutting tool inserts, armor tiles and wear-resistant coatings. In short: EDM-machinable ultra-hard ceramic; conductive boride wear material; high modulus at 4.5 g/cm³.
Is TIB2-ALN easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, better than 85% of ceramic grades). After sintering only diamond grinding and lapping apply, but the low electrical resistivity allows wire and sinker EDM — the main machining advantage of TiB₂ over other ultra-hard ceramics.
Can TIB2-ALN be welded?
Not fusion weldable; join to metals by active brazing with Ti- or Zr-bearing fillers, or by mechanical clamping. Match thermal expansion to avoid cracking.
What surface finishes work on TIB2-ALN?
Diamond lapping and polishing reach Ra < 0.1 µm. No plating or painting; SiC or oxide coatings can be added to suppress oxidation above 900 °C.
Can TIB2-ALN be formed, bent or molded?
Near-net shape comes from cold isostatic pressing of powder plus pressureless sintering, or hot pressing in graphite dies at 1800–2000 °C and 20–30 MPa; HIP is used for fully dense complex parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of TIB2-ALN?
TIB2-ALN is rated for continuous use to about 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Handbook of Refractory Carbides and Nitrides / Boride property tables — Noyes/Elsevier (1996)
- Titanium Diboride (TiB₂) technical ceramic datasheet — CoorsTek (2023)
- Boride ceramics and evaporation boat materials — Kennametal / Momentive-type boat producers (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.