  MAX phases are a family of layered, hexagonal-structure ternary carbides or
nitrides of a transitional metal and an A-group element. What makes this type
of material fascinating and potentially useful is their remarkable combinations
of metallic and ceramic characteristics; as well as the indispensable role in
'top-down' synthesis of their 2D counterparts, MXenes. To enhance the
efficiency in the successful search for potential novel MAX phases, the main
efforts could go toward creating an informationprediction system incorporating
all MAX phases' databases, as well as generally valid principles and the
high-quality regularities. In this work, we employ structure mapping
methodology, which has shown its merit of being useful guides in materials
design, with Hume-Rothery parameters to provide guiding principles in the
search of novel MAX phases. The formable/non-formable data on MAX phases can be
ordered within a twodimensional plot by using proposed expression of
geometrical and electron concentration factors.
