It is also soluble in donor solvents such as alcohol ether and acetic acid but less soluble in
hydrocarbons. The solid has a similar structure to that of FeCl3.
gray crystal(s); -35 mesh with 99% purity; refractory material [KIR78] [CER91] [CRC10]
Iron boride is used to improve abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance and oxidation resistance. It is also used in oil and gas refinery, chemical extraction, agricultural and textile extrusion. Being inexpensive as well as having excellent mechanical, frictional and corrosion resistant properties, it can be used as replacement of ceramic or cermet type of materials in fabrication and machining. It is also involved in the production of borated steels and borated stainless steels.
FeBr3. This is prepared181 by the reaction of iron or iron(II) bromide
with bromine at 170-200°. It is difficult to obtain pure since it decomposes at slightly above
these temperatures even in the presence of bromine, the bromide ions being oxidized by
the Fe3+. Such an oxidation occurs when an aqueous solution of iron(III) bromide is
boiled, iron(II) and bromine being formed. Iron(III) bromide is very soluble in water from
which it can be crystallized at room temperature as the dark green hexahydrate FeBr3. 6H2O.
