Density-functional formalism is applied to study the ground state properties of γ-U-Zr and γ-U-Mo solid solutions. Calculated heats of formation are compared with CALPHAD assessments. We discuss how the heat of formation in both alloys correlates with the charge transfer between the alloy components. The decomposition curves for γ-based U-Zr and U-Mo solid solutions are derived from Ising-type Monte Carlo simulations. We explore the idea of stabilization of the δ-UZr2 compound against the α-Zr (hcp) structure due to increase of Zr d-band occupancy by the addition of U to Zr. We discuss how the specific behavior of the electronic density of states in the vicinity of the Fermi level promotes the stabilization of the U2Mo compound. The mechanism of possible Am redistribution in the U-Zr and U-Mo fuels is also discussed.

Electronic structure and stability properties of ternary-metal alloys are examined using an extension of the Coherent Potential Approximation -Generalized Perturbation Method approach within the Tight-Binding description of the chemically random alloy. In particular, we report on calculations of density of states, mixing energies and effective cluster interactions which build up the ordering energy. The study focuses on the Ti-V-Fe system and its binary components.

Recently, the phase diagram of AI-Li alloys was calculated with the use of the Connolly-Williams method. In an effort to test the validity and to supplement the results of that study, equilibrium lattice constants and effective cluster interactions have been obtained using the generalized perturbation method within the first-principles multiple-scattering formalism of the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent-potential approximation. The implication of these effective interactions to the phase stability of these alloys is discussed.