Synthesis of Tungsten Tetraboride (WB4) by Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS)
A novel method for synthesizing tungsten tetraboride (WB4), a material with exceptional hardness and thermal properties, using Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS).
The Challenge:
In the pursuit of materials with exceptional hardness and thermal conductivity, tungsten tetraboride (WB4) has been considered a compelling candidate since the 1960s. Renowned for its potential in enhancing cutting tools, armor, and nuclear reactors, WB4's synthesis has been limited by technological constraints, yielding products often inferior to their theoretical capabilities. Enter Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS) – a modern technique set to revolutionize WB4 production by maintaining precise conditions necessary for optimal material characteristics.
How it Works:
Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS) introduces a sophisticated approach to WB4 synthesis, surpassing traditional methods like arc melting which often resulted in impurities and unwanted phases such as WB2. Unlike previous techniques, EFAS employs controlled sintering temperatures and accurate atomic ratios without the need to melt the components, thereby preserving the desired WB4 phase and preventing degradation in material hardness. This process has been demonstrated to produce WB4 samples with hardness approaching theoritical maximum by controlling the granular composition and phase outcomes efficiently.
Key Advantages:
Problems Solved
Market Applications
Development Status: TRL 3
US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/643,127, “METHODS OF FORMING REFRACTORY METAL BORIDES BY ELECTRIC FIELD ASSISTED SINTERING (EFAS),” BEA Docket No. BA-1537
INL Tech Partnerships: Your Gateway to Innovation
INL offers strategic access to proprietary technology, enhancing small business growth and contributing to economic and public advancement. We cater licensing terms to each business we work with, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements. Engage with our diverse technology offerings to propel your company forward.
Learn more about our licensing opportunities and the support we provide at https://inl.gov/technology-deployment/. For specific discussions on how your business can benefit, please contact td@inl.gov.
INL’s Technology Deployment department focuses exclusively on licensing intellectual property and partnering with industry collaborators capable of commercializing our innovations. Our goal is to commercialize the technologies developed by INL researchers. We do not engage in purchasing, manufacturing, procurement decisions, or providing funding. Additionally, this is not a call for external services to assist in the development of this technology.