In this paper, we employ a novel method of field activated and pressure assisted synthesis to prepare ultra-hard, superabrasives from the elemental constituents (aluminum, magnesium and boron). Under the conditions in the present work, the simultaneous synthesis and consolidation of such intermetallic compounds can be achieved at 1500 oC with a pressure of 60 MPa. The prepared compounds show a hardness of 32.5 GPa, which is consistent with the hardness of AlMgB14 prepared by hot uniaxial pressing, and the average density was 2.62 g/cm3. Furthermore, it is found that such compounds are not produced from the elemental constituents in the present condition.

Keywords: Hardness, Mechanical properties.