High-strength,high-temperature intermetallic compounds

Materials that are solid at high temperatures are in demand for high-temperature structural applications, and materials that have high values of strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight are desired for aircraft and space applications. Basic properties that are insensitive to processing history can be used to provide a preliminary ranking of single-phase substances. A compilation is presented of 293 intermetallic compounds (or metal-metalloid compounds) that melt at T 1500° C. By displaying the data by crystal structure on plots ofT_m against the specific gravity candidates for optimum specific strength and specific stiffness can be recognized for materials that are likely to have similar plastic properties.