Ternary intermetallics Hf13.0Ni40.8Ga30.9 and Zr13.0Ni40.6Ga31.0

► Ternary compounds Hf13.0Ni40.8Ga30.9 and Zr13.0Ni40.6Ga31.0 were synthesized. ► The structure can be regarded as extended forms of the CaCu5 structure. ► Electronic structures reveal a strong contribution from a Ni-Ga interaction.