Intermetallic compounds for high-temperature structural use.

The next generation of efficient turbines and engines will require materials that can withstand operating temperatures approaching 2000 degrees C. Intermetallic compounds with high melting temperatures are candidates for this application, but the obstacle of their limited ductility must first be overcome. Because the available data on these materials is limited, a survey of the effects of chemistry and crystal structure must be performed. With the use of melting temperature and density as figures of merit, the most likely candidates have been identified for preliminary screening.