A first principles calculation of site occupancy of the B2 phase in Ti2AlX (X=V,Cr, Fe,Mo, Ta,Nb, Zr,Hf and Re) intermetallics

The site occupancy of the B2 phase in Ti₂AlX (X=V, Cr, Fe, Mo, Ta, Nb, Zr, Hf and Re) intermetallics have been studied using first principles pseudo potential plane wave method.The Ti, Al and X atoms are arranged in five different ways, in the lattice sites corresponding to B2 structure of Ti₃Al. In Ti₃AlX, the X atoms are substituted at the Ti and / or Al sites. Further, the equilibrium lattice constants and the formation energy (E_for) of these intermetallics with different site occupancies in the B2 phase have been predicted. The formation energy values suggest that the B2 phase is stable in all alloys. Amongst the five cases in a particular alloy, stable configuration is identified with the minimum E_for and is further considered for the calculations of mechanical properties. All the alloys are mechanically stable in terms of Born stability criteria and show anisotropic behaviour. All the alloys display ductile behaviour in terms of G/B ratio.