Using first-principles calculations, a study was made of the effects of the alloying elements Re, Ta, W, Ru and Ti upon the generalized stacking fault energies, strength and ductility of γ′-Ni3Al. The Re effectively increased three kinds of generalized stacking fault energies on the (111) plane inducing more strength and lower ductility of Ni3Al than did the other elements. Quantitative analyses of bonding strength between alloying elements and their neighbor atoms revealed the electronic mechanism underlying these effects.

The Effects of Alloying Elements on Generalized Stacking Fault Energies, Strength and Ductility of γ′-Ni3Al. Yu, X.X.: Wang, C.Y.: Materials Science and Engineering A, 2012, 539, 38-41