INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS OF YTTRIUM

The first objective of this investigation was to determine the phase diagram for the yttrium-cadmium binary system, and thus determine what intermetallic compounds occur in this system. The crystal structures of these compounds were to be studied and compared to those of other yttrium binary compounds in an attempt to learn something about the interatomic bonding in these materials. The second objective of this investigation was to investigate the phase relations in the yttrium-cadmium-zinc alloy system in an attempt to determine the extent to which zinc atoms could be substituted for cadmium atoms and vice versa. This would provide information on the effect of changes in size and perhaps bonding type on alloy formation. Finally, it was hoped that an investigation of the relationship between the crystal structure of the yttrium- cadmium intermetallic compounds and their mechanical properties could be begun.