Compositional variations of tungsten tetraboride with transition metals and light elements

1. A method for preparing a composition comprising:

tungsten (W);

at least one element selected from the group of elements consisting of boron (B), beryllium (Be) and silicon (Si); and

at least one element selected from the group of elements consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), lithium (Li) and aluminum (Al);

wherein said composition satisfies the formula:

W 1-x M x X y

wherein X is B;

M is at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta, Os, Ir, Li and Al;

x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.999; and

y is at least 4.0;

the method comprising:

a) mixing together powders of W, X, and M to form a mixture;

b) optionally pressing the mixture into a pellet; and

c) heating the mixture or pellet,

wherein the composition is a crystalline solid characterized by at least one X-ray diffraction pattern reflection at 2 theta=24.2±0.2.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is one of Ta, Mn, Cr, Ta and Mn, or Ta and Cr.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.6.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is Ta, and x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.05.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is Mn, and x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.4.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is Cr, and x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.6.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein mixing occurs under an inert atmosphere deficient in water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the powders are mixed using a mortar and pestle or a mechanical mixer.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is pressed into a pellet using a hydraulic press.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is pressed into a pellet and heated using a hot press.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture or pellet is heated by plasma spark sintering.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture or pellet is heated in an arc melting furnace.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein a current is applied across the mixture or pellet, wherein said current is an AC/DC current greater than 60 Amps.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture or pellet is heated in an inert atmosphere deficient in water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the mixture or pellet is heated in an argon or dinitrogen atmosphere.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crystalline solid is further characterized by at least one X-ray diffraction pattern reflection at 2 theta=34.5±0.2 or 45.1±0.2.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crystalline solid is further characterized by at least one X-ray diffraction pattern reflection at 2 theta=47.5±0.2, 61.8±0.2, 69.2±0.2, 69.4±0.2, 79.7±0.2, 89.9±0.2, or 110.2±0.2.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crystalline solid is further characterized by at least five X-ray diffraction pattern reflections at 2 theta=28.1±0.2, 34.5±0.2, 42.5±0.2, 45.1±0.2, 47.5±0.2, 55.9±0.2, 61.8±0.2, 69.2±0.2, 69.4±0.2, 79.7±0.2, 89.9±0.2, or 110.2±0.2.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein W, X, and M are powders of over 99% purity.