A POSSIBLE ROUTE TO IMPROVING THE DUCTILITY OF BRITTLE INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS

Efforts to achieve ductility in a certain class of intermetallic compo unds are described in terms of the experimental work performed and the empirical and quantitative quantum mechanical models used to achieve crystal structures likely to satisfy the Von Mises condition for plast icity. However, the current trend in the behaviour of these intermetal lic compounds indicates that an underpinning electronic state requirem ent must be satisfied together with the Von Mises criterion for improv ed ductility to become achievable. It is suggested that a detailed und erstanding of this electronic factor may provide a way to improve the ductility via processes involving an alteration of the equilibrium ele ctron distribution in some intermetallic compounds, possibly through t he electroplastic effect.