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Characterization of Novel Rapidly Solidified and Nanostructured Alloys


EMSL Project ID
49427

Abstract

The goal of this proposal is to to develop robust synthesis strategies for producing nanocomposite particle or flake precursors with far-from-equilibrium compositions and nanostructured features, that can be fabricated in bulk form (>1cm3). This project provides a pathway for bulk synthesis of novel alloy compositions modeled in a sister project “Thermal Stability of Nanostructures – An experiment and Modeling Investigation.” Materials produced under this project will be fabricated using rapid solidification methods and densified using friction consolidation. The main objectives of this work include:
1. Elucidating processing parameters to improve homogeneity and control refinement of nanostructured, rapidly solidified and mechanically alloyed material before and after friction consolidation.
2. Evaluating phase stability at elevated temperatures required for final consolidation of rapidly solidified precursor materials
3. Identifying material strength improvements and correlating with unique microstructural morphologies
4. Providing necessary material and characterization to improve and validate microstructural modeling of tailored nanostructured materials (Sister Project)
The demonstrator alloys for evaluation were carefully chosen based on their ability to serve as game-changing material systems if they are able to be processed successfully in bulk nanocomposite forms. The focus for this work will be split between alloys developed for lightweight and/or high temperature applications (aluminum and magnesium based) as well as soft-magnetic materials (Fe-Si alloys). Alloy chemistries chosen will be specifically tailored to take full advantage of the enhanced solid solubility that RS processing and/or mechanical alloying enables while synergistically exploiting the thermal stability concepts being investigated in a sister project. Evaluation of nanostructured materials requires specialized instrumentation and technologies that will allow for analysis of grain boundary chemistries and solute segregation on a refined scale. Instrument time on EMSL equipment including SEM/FIB, and APT is being requested.

Project Details

Start Date
2016-04-06
End Date
2016-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Nicole Overman
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Co-Investigator(s)

Karen Kruska
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Team Members

Arun Devaraj
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Related Publications

Overman NR, SA Whalen, ME Bowden, MJ Olszta, K Kruska, T Clark, EL Stevens, JT Darsell, VV Joshi, X Jiang, KF Mattlin, and S Mathaudhu. 2017. "Homogenization and Texture Development in Rapidly Solidified AZ91E Consolidated by Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE)." Materials Science and Engineering. A. Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing 701:56-68. doi:10.1016/j.msea.2017.06.062