Quasicrystals and complex metallic alloys: Trends for potential applications

Abstract

Although the industrial development of complex metallic alloys (CMAs) and quasicrystals (QCs) has remained quite limited so far, these materials exhibit interesting and sometimes unexpected properties in terms of technological applications. A few selected examples of the most promising properties and trends for potential applications are presented.

Keywords:

• quasicrystals
• complex metallic alloys
• applications
• optical conductivity
• thermal conductivity
• catalysis
• cold welding

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully thank Dr. Valérie Demange for the kind provision of Figure 2. This review was undertaken within the activities of the 6th Framework EU Network of Excellence “Complex Metallic Alloys” (Contract No. NMP3-CT-2005-500140).