Density Functional Theory (DFT) is the prevalent first principles computational method for determining the stacking fault energy (SFE) of face centered cubic (fcc) metals and alloys. Due to several theoretical and computational challenges, SFE determination for interstitial alloys with alloying elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen, has so far been limited to few studies at relatively high interstitial content. We propose a new method, rooted in the axial interaction model, that allows rapid and robust mapping of SFE for virtually arbitrary interstitial contents. Instead of computing the total energy of a very large supercell to represent dilute interstitial solutions, representative interstitial-affected and bulk regions are treated separately at the equivalent volume. The SFE is obtained by balancing the SFE values of the regions with a lever rule approach. The method matches SFE values from the axial interaction model within ≤4 mJ.m−2 error, as validated for non-magnetic fcc Fe-N and paramagnetic fcc Fe-N and AISI 304 alloys. The significantly reduced computational workload and equidistant SFE mapping vs. interstitial content down to extremely low values allows accurate fitting of the SFE vs. interstitial content with only few datapoints. This further improves the computational efficiency. So far DFT-based SFE mapping was limited to purely substitutional alloys; we demonstrate the first-time DFT-based SFE mapping in fcc AISI 304 vs. N and Ni, revealing a non-additive contribution of N and Ni to the SFE. Finally, the remaining challenges and future application for high-throughput DFT SFE computation in interstitial alloys is discussed.

The thermodynamic and mechanical properties of the L1(2) Co3Al3 type of compounds are fundamental for understanding and designing Co-based superalloys. In these systems, both compositional and magnetic changes can occur upon service due to the elevated temperature. Here, using first-principle calculations, we study the bulk properties of three families of Co-3 Al-based compounds: Co1-xNix)(3)Al(0 <= x <= 0.5),Co-3(Al1-yWy)(0 <= y <= 1), and(Co0.5Ni0.5)(3)(Al0.5TizTa0.5-z)(0 <= z <= 0.5). The calculated lattice constants, Curie temperatures, and formation energies show good agreement with the limited available theoretical and experimental data. Our results reveal the impact of chemistry and magnetism on the elastic parameters. We find that both chemical composition and magnetic state alter the elastic parameters and the elastic anisotropy, which in turn makes the predictions based on common ductile-brittle criteria challenging. We separate the volume and chemical effects for both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states and show that in most cases, the chemical effect gives the dominant contribution to the alloying trends in the elastic parameters. The present findings reveal the complex relationship between alloying elements and elastic parameters in the Co-3 Al- based precipitates, providing insights into their mechanical properties for engineering applications.

Intrinsic stacking fault energy (SFE) values of gamma-Fe and AISI 304 austenitic stainless steels were determined as a function of carbon and nitrogen content using ab initio calculations. In contrast to previous investigations, the analysis was conducted incorporating the paramagnetic state to account for the magnetic constitution of real austenitic stainless steels. The effect of finite temperature was partially accounted for by performing ab initio calculations at the experimental volumes at room temperature. Including paramagnetism in gamma-Fe increases the SFE of non-magnetic gamma-Fe by similar to 385 mJ.m(-2). Interstitial alloying of non-magnetic gamma-Fe causes a linear increase in intrinsic stacking fault energy with interstitial content. In comparison, interstitial alloying of paramagnetic gamma-Fe increases the SFE at only about half the rate. The SFE of paramagnetic interstitial-free AISI 304 is within the range of -12 to 0 mJ.m(-2) and only deviates slightly from the SFE of paramagnetic gamma-Fe. It follows a similar, albeit flatter linear dependency on the interstitial content compared to gamma-Fe. Both gamma-Fe and gamma-AISI 304 were found to be metastable in their interstitial-free condition and are stabilized by interstitial alloying. The possible effect of short range ordering between interstitials and Cr on the SFE was discussed. The calculated threshold nitrogen content necessary to stabilize austenite in AISI 304 is in good agreement with experimental investigations of deformation microstructures in dependence of the nitrogen content. Finally, the calculated negative SFE values of AISI 304 were reconciled with experimentally determined positive SFE values using a recent method that accounts for the kinetics of stacking fault formation.

High-density and nanosized deformation twins in face-centered cubic (fcc) materials can effectively improve the combination of strength and ductility. However, the microscopic dislocation mechanisms enabling a high twinnability remain elusive. Twinning usually occurs via continuous nucleation and gliding of twinning partial dislocations on consecutive close-packed atomic planes. Here we unveil a completely different twinning mechanism being active in metastable fcc materials. The transformation-mediated twinning (TMT) is featured by a preceding displacive transformation from the fcc phase to the hexagonal close-packed (hcp) one, followed by a second-step transformation from the hcp phase to the fcc twin. The nucleation of the intermediate hcp phase is driven by the thermodynamic instability and the negative stacking fault energy of the metastable fcc phase. The intermediate hcp structure is characterized by the easy slips of Shockley partial dislocations on the basal planes, which leads to both fcc and fcc twin platelets during deformation, creating more twin boundaries and further enhancing the prosperity of twins. The disclosed fundamental understanding of the complex dislocation mechanism of deformation twinning in metastable alloys paves the road to design novel materials with outstanding mechanical properties.

The gamma/gamma' FeCoNiAlTi high-entropy alloys (HEAs) break the strength-ductility trade-off and possess an excellent combination of strength and ductility. However, lack of atomic-level understanding of plastic deformation behaviors restricts the exploration of full capacities of the FeCoNiAlTi HEAs. By computing the generalized stacking fault energies (GSFEs) of the gamma and gamma' phases, the relationships between planar stacking faults and work-hardening capacities, and the effect of chemical concentration and grain orientation on the deformation mechanisms were explored in depth for the FeCoNiAlTi HEAs. Our results demonstrate that the multicomponent nature lowers the GSFEs of the matrix but enhances those of the precipitate to achieve the strength-ductility balance of the HEA. An active factor (epsilon) defined as gamma isf/gamma apb (gamma isf: intrinsic stacking fault energy, gamma apb: anti-phase boundary energy) was introduced to bridge activation of microbands (MBs) and planar stacking faults in the gamma/gamma' alloys. Tuning a suitable low epsilon around 0.2 is an efficient strategy for acquiring the extended MBs-induced plasticity. Analyzing the individual/synergetic contribution of the principal elements to the GSFEs-related properties, we find that increasing the amount of Co and Ti promotes the strength-ductility balance and facilitates the MB activation by altering the GSFEs of both gamma and gamma'. Based on our comprehensive analysis, it is concluded that raising the Co/Fe ratio or lowing the Al/Ti ratio benefits the achievement of the desired mechanical properties of the FeCoNiAlTi HEA.

The hexagonal close-packed (hcp) phase of iron is unstable under ambient conditions. The limited amount of existing experimental data for this system has been obtained by extrapolating the parameters of hcp Fe-Mn alloys to pure Fe. On the theory side, most density functional theory (DFT) studies on hcp Fe have considered non-magnetic or ferromagnetic states, both having limited relevance in view of the current understanding of the system. Here, we investigate the equilibrium properties of paramagnetic hcp Fe using DFT modelling in combination with alloy theory. We show that the theoretical equilibrium c/a and the equation of state of hcp Fe become consistent with the experimental values when the magnetic disorder is properly accounted for. Longitudinal spin fluctuation effects further improve the theoretical description. The present study provides useful data on hcp Fe at ambient and hydrostatic pressure conditions, contributing largely to the development of accurate thermodynamic modelling of Fe-based alloys.

The Invar anomaly is one of the most fascinating phenomena observed in magnetically ordered materials. Invariant thermal expansion and elastic properties have attracted substantial scientific attention and led to important technological solutions. By studying planar faults in the high-temperature magnetically disordered state of Ni1-cFec, here we disclose a completely different anomaly. An invariant plastic deformation mechanism is characterized by an unchanged stacking fault energy with temperature within wide concentration and temperature ranges. This anomaly emerges from the competing stability between the face-centered cubic and hexagonal close-packed structures and occurs in other paramagnetic or nonmagnetic systems whenever the structural balance exists. The present findings create a platform for tailoring high-temperature properties of technologically relevant materials toward plastic stability at elevated temperatures.

TiNb-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) have great potentials in biomaterials. However, high transition temperature or small recoverable strain limit their application. Using first-principles method, we systematically study the recoverable strain and transition temperature of TiNb-based binary, ternary, and high-entropy alloys (HEAs), and aim to lower the transition temperature and improve the recoverable strain at the same time. We find that the employed approach describes accurately the lattice strain by comparing with the available experimental results. It is well known that there is a positive correlation between lattice strain and recoverable strain in SMAs. Thus, we have evaluated the magnitude of recoverable strain of SMAs by calculating the lattice strain. Meanwhile, we correlate the available measured martensitic transformation start temperature (M-s) with the calculated energy difference between beta and alpha'' phases in Ti-Nb binary alloys. According to this relation, we evaluate the M-s in other TiNb-based alloys. We find that Zr is a good alloying element that can decrease considerably the M-s and keep the lattice (recoverable) strain almost unchanged simultaneously. Finally, an Al-containing Ti24Nb25Zr24S24Al3 HEA has been designed to have simultaneously large recoverable strain and low transition temperature.

We used density-functional theory to assess the electronic structure, elastic properties and planar fault energies of the B2 Ti(AlxNb1-x) (0.2 <= x <= 0.8) phase in relation to the composition and chemical ordering. We found that the covalent bonding becomes stronger for B2 Ti(AlxNb1-x) with higher Al concentration and long range order (LRO) parameter. Based on a universal ductile-to-brittle criterion by integrating Pettifor's Cauchy pressure with Pugh's modulus ratio, the deformability becomes less for Ti(AlxNb1-x) with higher Al concentration and LRO parameter, which is well correlated with the bonding character. Rice's ratio has an anti-correlation with Pugh's modulus ratio for Ti(AlxNb1-x). According to Rice's criterion, Ti(AlxNb1-x) with various Al concentration and LRO parameter are brittle in pure mode I loading, however, Nb-enriched disordered and low-ordered Ti(AlxNb1-x) may satisfy Rice's criterion for nucleation of dislocation and thus, are ductile in mode II or III loading. The hardness increases but the fracture toughness decreases obviously with increasing the degree of covalent bonding in Ti(AlxNb1-x).

The stability of constituent phases in multi-component system always plays a prominent role in tailoring their mechanical performance at elevated temperatures. In this work, we highlight a chemical ordering feature in the AlTiVCr1-xNbx (0 <= x <= 1) alloys with body-centered cubic crystal structure. The quantum-mechanical first-principle investigations of these alloys on the elemental distribution identify a family of B2 type of partially ordered configurations. We map out the elastic parameters in detail as a function of composition and temperature for disordered and partially ordered phases. A great sensitivity to the order-disorder transformation is revealed, especially for the Cr-rich system. Our results demonstrate that a proper control of the ordering level in these alloys can facilitate the optimal tuning of their mechanical performance while keeping the density almost unchanged. The study presented here further predicts that these alloys possess high specific stiffness, low thermal expansion, and large elastic softening resistance. It is demonstrated that the considered alloys have thermal and mechanical properties that compete with superalloys and other high temperature structural materials.