Structurally complex alloy phases

Structurally complex alloy phases are exceptional metallic systems based on crystal structures with giant unit cells comprising up to more than a thousand atoms per cell. They have since long been studied in crystallography. Nevertheless, they represent interesting new materials, since until recently hardly any studies have been carried out on their physical properties. An overview is presented offering first a characterization of these materials with respect to their salient structural features. Subsequently, the results of recent experimental and theoretical work on plastic deformation and electronic properties are reviewed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.