The effect of a small addition of boron on the sintering densification, microstructure and mechanical properties of powder metallurgy Ti-7Ni alloy

► A small addition of B produces near fully-dense Ti-7Ni alloy at ⩾1200 °C for just 15 min. ► The long pre-eutectoid α-laths change to near-equiaxed α-Ti by B. ► Persistent liquid with improved liquid-solid wettability forms due to B. ► Elemental B is more effective than TiB2 as a sintering aid to Ti-7Ni alloy. ► The properties of Ti-7Ni are determined by the eutectoid structure but affected by B.