Phase stability and elastic properties in the Al_(1-x-y)Cr_(x)Ti_(y)N system from first principles

Multicomponent nitrides are a hot research topic in the search of hard coatings. The effect of substitutions on the phase stabilities, magnetic, and elastic properties of $Al_{1-x-y}Cr_{x}Ti_{y}N$ $(0\leq x,y\leq1)$ was studied using first principles calculations based on the density functional theory. These calculations provide the lattice parameter, formation energy, mixing enthalpy and elastic constants. The calculated values are in good agreement with experiments and compare well with other theoretical results. A magnetic transition from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic state occurs at concentrations of B1-TiN higher than 60$\%$. The quaternary zone has a lower aluminum solubility than the constituent ternary systems. The Poisson's ratio, Shear and Young modulus were used as predictors of the hardness, indicating that the higher hardness values are found on the transition line from B1 to B4. The obtained results enable the design of new $Al_{1-x-y}Cr_{x}Ti_{y}N$-based materials for coating applications.