Abstract

Early transition metal borides (MAB-phases) are extensively investigated due to their excellent mechanical and tribological properties. These characteristics of ternary transition metal borides have created a promising pathway to achieve strong materials with unique properties. These layered materials combine both metallic and ceramic attributes and possess intriguing properties such as excellent mechanical, chemical, and thermal stability. Most of the MAB-phases were discovered before the 1990s, but recent discoveries of their derivatives, such as i-MAB phases, and MBenes, have boosted their "renaissance." Altogether, this perspective summarizes the existing state-of-the-art regarding the tribological performance of the most promising MAB-phases and further discusses their success story in potential applications. Since the story of their derivative phases regarding mechanical/tribological applications has just begun, going beyond MAB-phases is highly promising to explore novel high-strength materials.