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The first principles calculations based on density functional theory are performed to investigate the mechanical properties and chemical bonding features of several Cr7C3 type multicomponent carbides (Fe16Cr12C12, Fe12Cr12W4C12, Fe12Cr12Mo4C12, Fe12Cr12W4C8B4, and Fe12Cr12Mo4C8B4). The full set elastic constants are calculated using stress-strain method. The Voigt–Reuss–Hill approximation is used to evaluate the mechanical moduli. The mechanical anisotropy is characterized by calculating several different anisotropic indexes and factors, such as universal anisotropic index (AU), shear anisotropic factors (A1, A2, and A3), and percent anisotropy (AB and AG). The surface constructions of bulk and Young’s moduli are illustrated to indicate the mechanical anisotropy. The obtained results indicate that the presence of B could deteriorate the mechanical moduli of (Fe,Cr)7C3 phase in Cr cast iron slightly. On the other hand, the chemical stability of (Fe,Cr)7C3 carbides is improved due to chemical bonding modifications through doping with B. These conclusions are in agreement with experimental results.
Xiao et al. (Sat,) studied this question.