Single-crystal growth and properties of CrB, Cr3B4, Cr2B3 and CrB2 from high-temperature aluminum solutions

Abstract

Single crystals of CrB, Cr3B4, Cr2B3, and CrB2 were grown from high-temperature Al solutions. The crystals were examined by X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis. The CrB, Cr3B4, and Cr2B3 single crystals were obtained as columnar and thick-platelet crystals having well-developed (010) and (100) faces with maximum dimensions of 3 to 8 mm, CrB2 single crystals 4-8 mm in size were obtained as thick platelets having well-developed (0001) planes or as needles elongated in the 〈0001〉 direction. The Vickers microhardness and electrical resistivity of the crystals were measured, and oxidation at high temperature in air was studied.