Effect of zirconium doping on mechanical properties of $W_{1-x}Zr_xB_2$ on the base of ab initio calculations and magnetron sputtered films

Potentially superhard $W_{1-x}Zr_xB_2$ polymorph hP6-P6$_3$/mmc-$WB_2$ with zirconium doping in the range of x=0.0-0.25 was thoroughly analyzed within the framework of first-principles density functional theory from the structural and mechanical point of view. The obtained results were subsequently compared with properties of material deposited by magnetron sputtering method. All predicted structures are mechanically and thermodynamically stable. Due to theoretical calculations zirconium doping reduces hardness and fracture toughness $K_{IC}$ of $WB_2$. Deposited films are characterized by greater hardness $H_v$ but lower fracture toughness $K_{IC}$. The results of experiments show that not only solid solution hardening is responsible for strengthening of predicted new material but also change of microstructure, Hall-Petch effect and boron vacancies.