R32-Al5W: A new stable high-temperature alloy

Abstract

Due to the high melting point, exceptional mechanical properties, and remarkable corrosion resistance exhibited by Al5W, researchers have conducted extensive research on the structural characteristics of Al5W. To identify the lowest energy structures and find new structures, a combination of particle swarm optimization and first-principles calculations was employed to identify energy-favorable Al5W structures under ambient pressure. The experimental P63 phase and the previously predicted R3¯c phase were identified. Notably, a new R32-Al5W phase was proposed. A comparative analysis on the structural stability, elastic, thermodynamic, and electronic properties of these three Al5W phases were conducted. The results indicate that R32-Al5W exhibits favorable thermodynamic stability, with a predicted bulk modulus close to that of R3¯c-Al5W. All the three Al5W phases demonstrate brittle behavior. The P63-Al5W phase displays larger shear anisotropy in the (010) and (001) planes, while the R32-Al5W phase shows greater shear anisotropy on the (100) plane compared to other two phases. Furthermore, employing Clarke’s and Cahill’s models, the minimum thermal conductivity of Al5W phases was predicted, revealing a magnitude order of P63 >R3¯c > R32. Our calculated melting points also conform to this trend.