FERROELASTIC PHASE-TRANSITIONS OF ALKALI-HALIDE ALKALI CYANIDE MIXED-CRYSTALS

The alkali cyanides and their CN-rich mixtures with alkali halides are proper ferroelastics with transitions from the cubic high temperature phase into the various non-cubic low temperature phases. As the CN concentration is reduced, the transformations temperature decreases and eventually the ferroelastic low temperature state is suppresse in favour of a glass-like state. The structural and elastic properties of these compounds are discussed with a special emphasis on the martensitic aspect of the transitions. © 1990.