Distribution trends and influence of 4d transition metal elements (Ru, Rh and Pd) doping on mechanical properties and martensitic transformation temperature of B2-ZrCu phase

The prediction for distribution trends and effect of three 4d transition metal elements (Ru, Rh and Pd) on mechanical properties and martensitic transformation temperature of B2-ZrCu phase were investigated by first-principles calculations. The convex surface of formation energy suggests that the alloying elements prefer to occupy the Cu sites in B2-ZrCu phase and the dopants studied in present are able to strengthen the phase stability. The calculated results of substitutional formation energy suggest that the distribution trend of dopants in B2-ZrCu phase is Ru > Rh > Pd below the dopant concentration 9 at. %, and the distribution trend is Rh > Pd > Ru from 9 at. % to 12.5 at. %. The elastic constants and mechanical properties including bulk modulus and shear modulus were calculated and discussed. The brittleness/ductility characteristic was investigated using the B/G ratio, Poisson's ratio v and Cauchy pressure Cp. The martensitic transformation temperature (Ms) and melting point (Tm) were predicted by using two cubic elastic moduli (C′ and C44). The prediction results suggest that only the Ms of Zr8Cu7Pd is higher than the parent. The martensitic transformation temperatures of other compounds decrease with the addition of 4d transition metal dopants. Finally, the electronic structures and electron density different were discussed to reveal the bonding characteristics.