Measurement of 80% Lithium–20% Boron Composite Material Electrical Resistivity, Thermal Expansion, and Thermal Diffusivity at Elevated Temperatures

Electrical resistivity, thermal expansion, and thermal diffusivity of lithium–boron composite material with ~80 at. % Li and 20 at. % B composition were measured at temperatures ranging from near room temperature to greater than 300°C. Lithium boride matrix was found to be an electric conductor, and it plays a significant role in both electrical conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the composite. The thermal diffusivity was found to be near constant up to ~700°C. It was also found that on first heating in vacuum, the composite expands significantly and remains expanded afterward. The expansion is attributed to formation of pores throughout the material at Li melting temperature.