Almyras GA, Sangiovanni DG, Sarakinos K. Semi-Empirical Force-Field Model for the Ti
1-xAl
xN (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) System.
MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019;
12:E215. [PMID:
30634593 PMCID:
PMC6356630 DOI:
10.3390/ma12020215]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We present a modified embedded atom method (MEAM) semi-empirical force-field model for the Ti1-xAlxN (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) alloy system. The MEAM parameters, determined via an adaptive simulated-annealing (ASA) minimization scheme, optimize the model's predictions with respect to 0 K equilibrium volumes, elastic constants, cohesive energies, enthalpies of mixing, and point-defect formation energies, for a set of ≈40 elemental, binary, and ternary Ti-Al-N structures and configurations. Subsequently, the reliability of the model is thoroughly verified against known finite-temperature thermodynamic and kinetic properties of key binary Ti-N and Al-N phases, as well as properties of Ti1-xAlxN (0 < x < 1) alloys. The successful outcome of the validation underscores the transferability of our model, opening the way for large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of, e.g., phase evolution, interfacial processes, and mechanical response in Ti-Al-N-based alloys, superlattices, and nanostructures.
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