A magnesiumdiboride (MgB.sub.2) powder-in-tube (PIT) wire has a cross-section showing —voids, —magnesiumdiboride, and —oxides, as measured by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Oxides are located at the borders between the voids and the magnesiumdiboride. The MgB.sub.2 PIT wire has a higher degree of superconductivity.

A ballistic protective composition having a sintered product of boron carbide and BAM where the sintered product includes up to about 80% BAM by weight based on the weight of the total BAM and boron carbide and wherein the sintered product is configured to prevent penetration of a ballistic threat through the sintered product. The ballistic protective composition may also be bonded to a ballistically protective fabric material to form a ballistic composite, which may be a wearable material, such as a body armor article.

A method for manufacturing a diboride powder MB.sub.2 by dry route where M is a chemical element belonging to group 4 of the periodic table, from the reduction of an oxide MO.sub.2 of the element M according to the balance reaction MO.sub.2+B.sub.2O.sub.3+yR+xA.sub.2O.fwdarw.MB.sub.2+A.sub.2xR.sub.YO.sub.5+x, wherein R is a reducing element selected from Al, Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Y, Sc, and the lanthanides and A.sub.2O is an oxide of alkali element A.

A magnesiumdiboride (MgB.sub.2) powder-in-tube (PIT) wire has a cross-section showing voids, magnesiumdiboride, and oxides, as measured by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Oxides are located at the borders between the voids and the magnesiumdiboride. The MgB.sub.2 PIT wire has a higher degree of superconductivity.