  Motivated by interest in the elastic properties of high strength amorphous
metals, we examine the elastic properties of select crystalline phases. Using
first principles methods, we calculate elastic moduli in various chemical
systems containing transition metals, specifically early (Ta,W) and late
(Co,Ni). Theoretically predicted alloy elastic properties are verified for
Ni-Ta by comparison with experimental measurements using resonant ultrasound
spectroscopy. Comparison of our computed elastic moduli with effective medium
theories shows that alloying leads to enhancement of bulk moduli relative to
averages of the pure elements, and considerable deviation of predicted and
computed shear moduli. Specifically, we find an enhancement of bulk modulus
relative to effective medium theory and propose a candidate system for high
strength, ductile amorphous alloys. Trends in the elastic properties of
chemical systems are analyzed using force constants, electronic densities of
state and Crystal Overlap Hamilton Populations. We interpret our findings in
terms of the electronic structure of the alloys.
