Complex metal alloys (CMAs) comprise a huge group of largely unknown alloys and compounds, where many phases are formed with crystal structures based on giant unit cells containing atom clusters, ranging from tens of to more than thousand atoms per unit cell. In these phases, for many phenomena, the physical length scales are substantially smaller than the unit-cell dimension. Hence, these materials offer unique combinations of properties which are mutually exclusive in conventional materials, such as metallic electric conductivity combined with low thermal conductivity, good light absorption with high-temperature stability, high metallic hardness with reduced wetting by liquids, etc.This book is the second of a series of books issued yearly as a deliverable to the European Community of the School established within the European Network of Excellence CMA. Written by reputed experts in the fields of metal physics, surface physics, surface chemistry, metallurgy, and process engineering, this book brings together expertise found inside as well as outside the network to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in CMAs.

Intermetallic Matrix Composites: Properties and Applications is a comprehensive guide that studies the types and properties of intermetallic matrix composites, including their processing techniques, characterization and the various testing methods associated with these composites. In addition, it presents modeling techniques, their strengthening mechanisms and the important area of failure and repair. Advanced /complex IMCs are then explained, such as Self-healing IMCs and laminated intermetallic composites. The book concludes by delving into the industries that use these materials, including the automotive industry. - Reviews the latest research in intermetallic matrix composites - Contains a focus on properties and applications - Includes contributions from leading experts in the field

Covering fundamental research as well as real-world applications, this first book on CMAs at an introductory level treats everything from atomistic details to surface processing. Comprehensive, self-contained chapters provide readers with the latest knowledge on the most salient features of the topic, selected in terms of their relevance to potential technological applications. Edited by one of the most distinguished authorities on quasicrystals and this most important of their subclasses, the contributions elucidate aspects of CMAs from a particular viewpoint: physical and chemical characteristics in the sub-nanometer regime, mesoscale phenomena, preparation and processing of thin films, and large-scale engineering properties. The whole is rounded off by a look at the commercial potential of CMA-based applications. For PhD students and lecturers alike.

Complex metal alloys (CMAs) comprise a huge group of largely unknown alloys and compounds, where many phases are formed with crystal structures based on giant unit cells containing atom clusters, ranging from tens of to more than thousand atoms per unit cell. In these phases, for many phenomena, the physical length scales are substantially smaller than the unit-cell dimension. Hence, these materials offer unique combinations of properties which are mutually exclusive in conventional materials, such as metallic electric conductivity combined with low thermal conductivity, good light absorption with high-temperature stability, high metallic hardness with reduced wetting by liquids, etc.This book is the first of a series of books issued yearly as a deliverable to the European Community of the School established within the European Network of Excellence CMA. Written by reputed experts in the fields of metal physics, surface physics, surface chemistry, metallurgy, and process engineering, this book brings together expertise found inside as well as outside the network to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in CMAs.

This book will be the last one in a series of 4 books issued yearly as a deliverable of the research school established within the European Network of Excellence CMA (for Complex Metallic Alloys). It is written by reputed experts in the fields of metal physics, surface physics and chemistry, metallurgy and process engineering, combining expertise found inside as well as outside the network. The CMA network focuses on the huge group of largely unknown multinary alloys and compounds formed with crystal structures based on giant unit cells containing clusters, with many tens up to more than thousand atoms per unit cell. In these phases, for many phenomena, the physical length scales are substantially smaller than the unit-cell dimension. Hence, these materials offer unique combinations of properties, which are mutually excluded in conventional materials: metallic electric conductivity combined with low thermal conductivity, combination of good light absorption with high-temperature stability, combination of high metallic hardness with reduced wetting by liquids, electrical and thermal resistance tuneable by composition variation, excellent resistance to corrosion, reduced cold-welding and adhesion, enhanced hydrogen storage capacity and light absorption, etc. The series of books will concentrate on: development of fundamental knowledge with the aim of understanding materials phenomena, technologies associated with the production, transformation and processing of knowledge-based multifunctional materials, surface engineering, support for new materials development and new knowledge-based higher performance materials for macro-scale applications.

This book, the third in a series of four publications issued annually as a deliverable of the research school established within the European Network of Excellence CMA (for Complex Metallic Alloys), is written by reputed experts in the fields of surface physics and chemistry, metallurgy and process engineering. It combines expertise found inside as well as outside the network. The CMA network focuses on the huge group of largely unknown multinary alloys and compounds formed with crystal structures based on giant unit cells containing clusters, with many tens or up to thousands of atoms per unit cell. In these phases, for many phenomena, the physical length scales are substantially smaller than the unit-cell dimension. Hence, these materials offer unique combinations of properties which are mutually excluded in conventional materials: metallic electric conductivity combined with low thermal conductivity, combination of good light absorption with high-temperature stability, combination of high metallic hardness with reduced wetting by liquids, electrical and thermal resistance tuneable by composition variation, excellent resistance to corrosion, reduced cold-welding and adhesion, enhanced hydrogen storage capacity and light absorption. This book series will concentrate on the: development of fundamental knowledge with the aim of understanding materials phenomena, technologies associated with the production, transformation and processing of knowledge-based multifunctional materials, surface engineering, support for new materials development and new knowledge-based higher performance materials for macro-scale applications.

The fascinating world of intermetallics is largely unexplored. There are many exciting physical properties and important technological applications of intermetallics, from magnetism to superconductivity. The main focus of this book is on the statistics, topology and geometry of crystal structures and structure types of intermetallic phases. The underlying physics, in particular chemical bonding, is discussed whenever it helps understand the stability of structures and the origin of their physical properties. The authors' approach, based on the statistical analysis of more than twenty thousand intermetallic compounds in the data base Pearson's Crystal Data, uncovers important structural relationships and illustrates the relative simplicity of most of the general structural building principles. It also shows that a large variety of actual structures can be related to a rather small number of aristotypes. The text aims to be readable and beneficial in one way or another to everyone interested in intermetallic phases, from graduate students to experts in solid state chemistry and physics, and materials science. For that purpose it avoids the use of enigmatic abstract terminology for the classification of structures. Instead, it focuses on the statistical analysis of crystal structures and structure types in order to draw together a larger overview of intermetallics, and indicate the gaps in it - areas still to be explored, and potential sources of worthwhile research. The text should be read as a reference guide to the incredibly rich world of intermetallic phases.