First-principles investigation of B2 partial disordered structure,martensitic transformation,elastic and magnetic properties of all-d-metal Ni-Mn-Ti Heusler alloys

In this work,the B2 partial disordered structure of the austenitic parent phase,martensitic transformation,elastic and magnetic properties of the Ni_8 Mn_(4+x)Ti_(4-x)(x=0,1 and 2) Heusler alloys have been systematically investigated by the first-principles calculations.The preferential atomic occupation of B2 structure is one Ti atom exchange with the nearest neighboring Mn atom from the view of lowest energy principle.This disordered exchange sites(Mn-Ti) and the excess Mn atoms occupying the Ti sites(Mn_(Ti))could reduce the nearest Mn-Mn distance,resulting in the anti ferromagnetic state in the austenitic and martensitic phases of the alloys.The total magnetic moment of the alloy decreases with the increasing Mn content;it is ascribed to the antiferromagnetic magnetic moments of the excess Mn atoms.When x=0,the alloy does not undergo martensitic transformation since the austenite has absolute phase stability.The martensitic transformation will occur during cooling process for x=1 or 2,owing to the energy difference between the austenite and the martensite could provide the driving force for the phase transformation.The elastic properties of the cubic austenitic phase for the Ni_2 MnTi alloy is calculated,and the results reveal the reason why Ni-Mn-Ti alloy has excellent mechanical properties.The origin of martensitic transformation and magnetic properties was discussed based on the electronic density of states.