The structural and defect characteristics of a V-alloyed Laves phase were studied by using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and Rietveld structure refinement techniques. The results showed that V atoms substituted for Cr in the C15 structure, in spite of the fact that the atomic radii of the elements were such that the V atomic radius was intermediate between those of Cr and Nb. It was also found that the lattice parameter increased linearly with increasing V content; thus suggesting a random occupancy of V on Cr sites. The alloying behavior and the defect structures were qualitatively explained in terms of the electronic structure.

Structural and Defect Analysis of V-Alloyed C15 NbCr2 from High-Resolution Synchrotron X-Ray Powder Diffraction F.Chu, Q.Zhu, D.J.Thoma, T.E.Mitchell: Philosophical Magazine A, 1998, 78[3], 551-65