Residual Resistivities of Binary Iron Alloys

Electrical resistivities of iron‐rich binary alloys containing seventeen different solutes have been measured at 4.2°K and the resistivity increment per atom percent solute tabulated. Apparent departures from Matthiessen's rule at room temperature have also been determined. The non‐transition elements cause considerably larger increases in the resistivity at 4.2°K and smaller deviations from Matthiessen's rule than do the transition elements. Cobalt, nickel, and tin are exceptions to this classification. This behavior is discussed in terms of electron screening and resonating s‐ and p‐orbitals in the electron bands of the iron matrix. A correlation of the observations with solute size and valence effects is also presented.