Ab initio study of AlCu2M (MÂ =Â Sc, Ti and Cr) ternary compounds under pressures

► Higher hardness of the AlCu2M (M = Sc, Ti and Cr) compounds may be obtained when pressure increases. ► The bulk modulus and Young's modulus of AlCu2Cr is the greatest under pressure. ► All the AlCu2M (M = Sc, Ti and Cr) compounds are ductile. ► Debye temperatures increase with increasing pressure.