Bonding in the refractory hard-metals

Abstract

Empirical justification is given for the assumption of a metallic type band model for the so-called refractory hard-metals on the basis that p-electrons from the non-metal atoms (B, C, N) find themselves in the transition metal d-band on formation of the hard-metals. The evidence seems to indicate that this band structure should be very similar to a standard band structure applicable to all of the transition metals. Inferences are drawn as to the general form of the d-band for the transition/hard-metal series.