Elinvar effect in β-Ti simulated by on-the-fly trained moment tensor potential

A combination of quantum mechanics calculations with machine learning techniques can lead to a paradigm shift in our ability to predict materials properties from first principles. Here we show that on-the-fly training of an interatomic potential described through moment tensors provides the same accuracy as state-of-the-art ab initio molecular dynamics in predicting high-temperature elastic properties of materials with two orders of magnitude less computational effort. Using the technique, we investigate high-temperature bcc phase of titanium and predict very weak, Elinvar, temperature dependence of its elastic moduli, similar to the behavior of the so-called GUM Ti-based alloys (Sato et al 2003 Science 300 464). Given the fact that GUM alloys have complex chemical compositions and operate at room temperature, Elinvar properties of elemental bcc-Ti observed in the wide temperature interval 1100–1700 K is unique.