Structure maps in alloy design

The empirical database on the structures of binary and ternary compounds can be ordered within a limited number of two-dimensional plots by using the recently proposed Mendeleev number, M, which takes a unique value for each element in the periodic table. Characterizing pseudobinaries by their average Mendeleev numbers text-decoration:overlineMA and text-decoration:overlineMB, the structure maps (text-decoration:overlineMA, text-decoration:overlineMB) are found to display similar domains of structural stability as those of the pure binaries. This allows the maps to be used as a guide in the search for new alloys with a required structure-type.