Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T11:48:34.007Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Factors Governing the Structure of Intermetallic Phases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

F. Laves*
Affiliation:
Institut für Kristallographie und Petrographie der Eidg. Techn. Hochsckule, Zürich, Switzerland
Get access

Abstract

A review of the crystal structures of the elements shows some prevailing tendencies of atomic arrangement. These are discussed as space, symmetry, and connection principles. Counteracting temperature and bond factors can be recognized.

The same principles and factors are responsible for the formation of alloy structures, taking into account additional factors due to the component's similarities and dissimilarities in size and electronegativity.

Similarity favors solid solution and dissimilarity favors compound formation. A q compound is here defined as a phase in a q-component system not connected with any other phase of the system by continuous solid solution. Similarly a q structure is defined as a structure type which needs only q components to be formed (considering present-day knowledge). For example, the binary compound Mg17Al12 has the elementary (1 ™) structure of α-manganese. As a rule, q compounds tend to form p structures with q > p.

A discussion of q structures with q = 1, 2, and 3 is given in some detail on the basis of known representatives to show: (1) the competition of geometrical principles and physicochemical factors in determining atomic arrangements of alloys; and (2) the value of rules for making guesses on the probable occurrence of compounds and their chemical composition in polycomponent systems yet unknown.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1962

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Laves, F., “Crystal Structure and Atomic Size,” Theory of Alloy Phases, Am. Soc. for Metals, Cleveland, 1956, pp. 124-198.Google Scholar
2. Kasper, J. S., “Atomic and Magnetic Ordering in Transition Metal Structures,” Theory of Alloy Phases, Am. Soc. for Metals, Cleveland, 1956, pp. 264-279.Google Scholar
3. Frank, F. C. and Kasper, J. S., “Complex Alloy Structures Regarded as Sphere Packings. I. Definition and Bask Principles,” Acta Cryst. 11: 184191, 1958; II. “Analysis and Classification of Representative Structures,” 12; 483-499, 1959.Google Scholar
4. Zintl, E. and Woltersdorf, G., “Gitterstruktur von LiAl,” Z. Elektrochem. 41; 877879, 1935.Google Scholar
5. Böhm, B. and Klemm, W., “Zur Kenntnis des Verhaltens der Alkalimetalle zueinander,” Z. anorg. u. allgem. Chem. 243: 6985, 1940.Google Scholar
6. Goldschmidt, H. J., “The Phase Constitutions of Some Niobium-Bearing and Associated Transition Metal Systems,” J. Less Common Metals 2: 138153, 1960.Google Scholar
7. Laves, P. and Witte, H., “Der Einfluss von Valenzelcktronen auf die Kristallstruktur-ternarer Mg-Legierungen,” Metallwirtschaft 15: 840842, 1936.Google Scholar
8. Laves, F., Z. Kristall. (to be published).Google Scholar
9. Laves, F. and Wallbaum, H. J., “Ueber einige neue Vertreter des NiAs-Typs und ihré kristallchemische Bedeutung,” Z. angew. Mineral. 4: 1746, 1941.Google Scholar
10. Bvauer, G. and Mitius, A., “Die Kristallstvuktur des ThSi2,” Z, anorg. u. allgem, Chem. 249: 325335, 1942.Google Scholar
11. Schulze, G. E. R., “Dichte und Raumerfullung bei interrnetalllschen Verbindungen, insbesondere Laves-Phasen,” Z. Kristall. 115: 261268, 1961.Google Scholar
12. Laves, F., “Zintl's Arbeiten uber die Chemie und Struktur von Legkrungen,” Naturzviss. 29: 244254, 1941.Google Scholar
13. Mooscr, E. and Pearson, W. E., “The chemical bond in semiconductors,” J. Electronics 6, 629645, 1956, pp. 117; Progress in Semiconductors, Vol. 5, Heywood Comp., London, 1960, pp. 103-139.Google Scholar
14. Hume-Rothery, W., “Nature, Properties, and Formation of Intermetallic Compounds,“J. InH. Metals 35: 295-361, 1926.Google Scholar
15. Witte, H., “Der Gültigkeitsberekh der Hume-Rotheryschen Regel,” Metallwirtsthaft 16: 237245, 1937.Google Scholar
16. Beck, P. and. co-workers (only few of his papers can be quoted here): 1, K. R. Gupta, N. S. Rajan and P. A. Beck, “Effect of Si and Al on the Stability of Certain Sigma Phases,” Trans. Met. Soc, AIME 21S: 1960; 2. B. N. Das and P. A. Beck, “Relationship Between the Mu Phase and the Sigma Phase in the Mo-Mm-Co System,” Trans, Met. Soc, AIME 218: 1960.Google Scholar
17. Parthé, E., “Contributions to the Nowotny Phases,” Acta Cryst. 10: 768769, 1957; E. Parthe” and J. T. Norton, “Crystal Structures of Zr5Ge3, Ta5Ge3, and Cr5Ge3,” Acta Cryst. II; 14-17, 1958.Google Scholar
18. Stadelmaier, H. H., “Ueber ternäre Verbindungen von Ucbergangsmetall, B-Metall und Metalloid,” Z. Metallkunde 52: 758762, 1961; “Ternary Carbides of the Transition Metals Ni, Co, Fe, Mn with Zn and Sn,” Acta Met. 7: 415-419, 1959.Google Scholar
19. Brown, P. J., “The Structure of α (V-Al),” Acta Cryst. 10: 133135, 1957.Google Scholar
20. Smith, J. F. and Ray, A. E., “The Structure of V4Al23,” Acta Cryst. 10: 169172, 1957; see in addition Acta Cryst. 13: 876-884, 1960.Google Scholar
21. Slater, J. C., “Band Theory of Bonding in Metals,” Theory of Alloy Phases, Am. Soc. for Metals, Cleveland, 1956, pp. 1-12.Google Scholar