Synthesis, characterization, properties, first principles calculations, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of bulk Mn5SiB2 and Fe5SiB2 ternary borides

•Synthesized dense, bulk predominantly single-phase, polycrystalline samples of Mn5SiB2 and Fe5SiB2 by reactive hot-pressing.•First report of bulk properties of Mn5SiB2 and Fe5SiB2.•First report of chemical composition of Mn5SiB2 and Fe5SiB2 using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.•First demonstration of ferromagnetic behavior of Mn5SiB2 and estimation of curie transition temperature.•Frist computational determination of Mechanical properties of Mn5SiB2 and Fe5SiB2.