Structural and mechanical stability of dilute yttrium doped chromium

Rare earth element doping of chromium is much desired for various applications, but is technically difficult because of dopant segregation. Using a room temperature mechanical alloying method, dilute yttrium doping into nanosized chromium was achieved. Synchrotron-based high-pressure X-ray diffraction indicated that the Cr-Y alloy (Cr0.97Y0.03) was stable at up to 39 GPa, and the bulk modulus was 203 ± 2.6 GPa. The experimental results were consistent with first-principles density functional theory simulation. The diffraction line broadening profiles indicated the deformation anisotropy of the nanoalloy. This study suggests that Cr0.97Y0.03 alloy is promising for ultrahigh stress applications such as airplane engines and land-based turbines.