The phase stability and electronic and mechanical properties of rare earth (RE) carbides (La2C3, LaC2, Ce2C3, CeC2, and CeC) were investigated using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. The calculated equilibrium lattice constants and cell volume agree well with available experimental data. The cohesive energy and formation enthalpy of these carbides show that they are thermodynamically and mechanically stable except LaC. The strong covalent bonding exists in these compounds, and the covalent bonds are mainly determined to be RE-C and C-C bonds. The hardness of RExCy compounds is less than 10 GPa, and the bulk modulus, shear modulus, and Young's modulus of Ce2C3 are the largest. The values of BIG (ratio of bulk modulus to shear modulus) and Poisson's ratio indicate that all the compounds have good ductility, and the ductility of CeC is larger than others. The Debye temperature of Ce2C3 is 429.67 K, which is the highest in those of experimental compounds.
The segregation behavior of alloying elements X( X = Zr,V,Cr,Mn,Mo,W,Nb,Y) on the ferrite( 100) /TiC( 100) interface has been investigated using first principles method,and the work of separation and interface energy of ferrite / TiC interfaces alloyed by these elements were also analyzed. The results indicated that all these alloying additives except Y were thermodynamically favorable because of the negative segregation energy,showing that they have the tendency to segregate to the ferrite / TiC interface. When the Fe atom in the ferrite /TiC interface is replaced by Y,Zr,or Nb,the adhesive strength of the interface will be weakened due to the lower separation work,larger interfacial energy,and weaker electron effects. However,the introduction of Cr,Mo,W,Mn and V will improve the stability of the ferrite / TiC interface through strong interaction between these elements and C,and Cr-doped interface is the most stable structure. Therefore,the Cr,Mo,W,Mn and V in ferrite side of the interface can effectively promote ferrite heterogeneous nucleation on TiC surface to form fine ferrite grain.
