MAX phases

<p>The MAX phases are layered, hexagonal carbides and nitrides which have the general formula: Mn+1AXn, (MAX) where n = 1 to 4, and M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group (mostly IIIA and IVA, or groups 13 and 14) element and X is either <a href="/facts/Carbon/ukrgQexo">carbon</a> and/or <a href="/facts/Nitrogen/Nf1QpGDz">nitrogen</a>. The layered structure consists of edge-sharing, distorted XM6 octahedra interleaved by single planar layers of the A-group element.  </p>
A list of the MAX phases known to date, in both bulk and thin film (<a href="/facts/Stoichiometry/I5p9cJzV">stoichiometric</a> arrangements):<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a><table><tbody><tr><th>211</th><td>Ti2CdC, Sc2InC, Sc2SnC,Ti2AlC, Ti2GaC, Ti2InC, Ti2TlC, V2AlC, V2GaC, Cr2GaC,  Ti2AlN, Ti2GaN, Ti2InN, V2GaN, Cr2GaN, Ti2GeC, Ti2SnC, Ti2PbC, V2GeC, Cr2AlC, Cr2GeC, V2PC, V2AsC,  Ti2SC, Zr2InC, Zr2TlC, Nb2AlC, Nb2GaC, Nb2InC, Mo2GaC, Zr2InN, Zr2TlN, Zr2SnC, Zr2PbC, Nb2SnC, Nb2PC, Nb2AsC, Zr2SC, Nb2SC, Hf2InC, Hf2TlC, Ta2AlC, Ta2GaC, Hf2SnC, Hf2PbC, Hf2SnN, Hf2SC, Zr2AlC, Ti2ZnC, Ti2ZnN, V2ZnC, Nb2CuC, Mn2GaC, Mo2AuC, Ti2AuN</td></tr><tr><th>312</th><td><p>Ti3AlC2, Ti3GaC2, Ti3InC2, V3AlC2, <a href="/facts/Titanium_silicon_carbide/4M2s0T9j">Ti3SiC2</a>, Ti3GeC2, Ti3SnC2, Ta3AlC2, Ti3ZnC2,Zr3AlC2</p></td></tr><tr><th>413</th><td><p>Ti4AlN3, V4AlC3, Ti4GaC3, Ti4SiC3, Ti4GeC3, Nb4AlC3, Ta4AlC3,(Mo,V)4AlC3</p></td></tr><tr><th>514</th><td><p>Mo4VAlC4 </p></td></tr></tbody></table>

MAX phases open-in-new

MAX phases