Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Alloy properties are often summarized on two-dimensional maps. For instance, Darken and Gurry related the terminal solubilities of alloy systems to two coordinates (the differences in electronegativities and in atomic radii of the alloy constituents). Maps are considered here which correlate the structures in which the compounds form as well as providing some indication of whether a compound forms at some given composition in the first place. This class of map involves one coordinate which is the difference in an atomic parameter (here it will be taken to be the electronegativity) while the other is an average (in this case the d band hole count). This contrasts with Darken Gurry maps and Giessen's maps related to glass-forming ability (elsewhere in this volume) where both coordinates are differences. The situation for 50/50 transition metal alloys is reviewed and results are presented for systems off 50/50 composition.