Laves phase

[1] Laves phases are of particular interest in modern metallurgy research because of their abnormal physical and chemical properties.

A characteristic feature is the almost perfect electrical conductivity, but they are not plastically deformable at room temperature.

In each of the three classes of Laves phase, if the two types of atoms were perfect spheres with a size ratio of

[4] Compounds found in Laves phases typically have an atomic size ratio between 1.05 and 1.67.

[3] Analogues of Laves phases can be formed by the self-assembly of a colloidal dispersion of two sizes of sphere.