Professor Phil Prangnell

Phil Prangnell joined the Manchester Materials Science Centre after completing his PhD in Metal Matrix Composites at Cambridge University. He is a founder member of the Manchester £6M Portfolio Partnership in "Light Alloys for Environmentally Sustainable Transport". His research activities are focused on studying advanced thermomechanical processing and joining techniques for light alloys. In particular, he is interested in understanding and modelling interactions between phase transformations, deformation microstructures, and industrial processes. In recent years he has worked extensively with the aerospace industry on developing welding techniques for aluminium aerospace alloys, including, laser, e-beam, laser-hybrid and friction stir welding as well as forming processes, like creep-age forming for aerospace applications. He is also actively researching the development of deformation structures in alloys deformed to ultra-high strains and the formation of submicron grained and nanocrystalline alloys by severe deformation processing. Future directions include the use of Friction Stir Processing to locally modify surfaces, welding dissimilar metals and the development of a Friction Stir Welding facility at Manchester.

• Material interactions during creep-age forming
• The formation of nanocrystalline alloys by severe deformation processing
• Mechanisms of grain subdivision during deformation to ultra-high strains
• Metallurgical optimisation of welding processes for airframe structures
• Material interactions during friction stir processing and welding
• Thermal management in friction stir welding, including hybrid welding
• Inertia friction welding of dissimilar metals (e.g. steel to aluminium)
• Phase formation in 3rd generation Al-Li alloys
• Modelling mechanical and thermal tensioning techniques for controlling residual stresses in friction stir welding
• Microstructural control in laser surface treatment

• M. Berta and P.B. Prangnell, The Effect of Dispersoids and Processing Variables on Grain Refinement of Aluminium Alloys Deformed by ECAE, J. Solid State Phenomena Vol. 114 (2006) 151.
• M. Berta, P. J. Apps and P. B. Prangnell, Effect of Processing Route and Second Phase Particles on Grain Refinement During ECAE, Mat Sci Eng., A410-411 (2005) 381-385.
• P.B. Prangnell and C.P. Heason, Grain Structure Formation During Friction Stir Welding Observed by the Stop Action Technique, Acta Mater, 53 (2005) 3179-3192.
• P.J. Apps, M. Berta, and P.B. Prangnell, The Effect of Dispersoids on the Grain Refinement Mechanisms During Deformation of Aluminium Alloys to Ultra-High Strains, Acta Mater, 53 (2004) 499-511.
• P.B. Prangnell, J.S. Hayes, J.R. Bowen, P.J Apps, and P.S. Bate, Continuous Recrystallisation of Lamellar Deformation Structures Produced by Severe Deformation, Acta Mater, 52 (2004) 3193-3206.
• P.B. Prangnell, J.R. Bowen and P.J. Apps, Ultra-Fine Grain Structures in Al-Alloys by Severe Deformation Processing, Mater. Sci. EngA., 375-377 (2004) 178-185.
• Kh. A. A. Hassan, P. B. Prangnell, A. F. Norman, D. A. Price, and S.W. Williams, The Effect of Welding Parameters on the Nugget Zone Microstructure and Properties in High Strength Al-Alloy Friction Stir Welds, Sci. & Tech. of Welding and Joining, 8, (2003) 257-268
• A.F. Norman, S.S. Birley and P.B. Prangnell, The Development of New Al-Sc Filler Wires for Fusion Welding 7000 Series Al-Aerospace Alloys, Sci. & Tech. Welding & Joining, 8, (2003) 235-245.
• A.F. Norman, K.Hyde, F. Costello, S. Thompson, S.S. Bilrey and P.B. Prangnell, Examination of the Effect of Sc on 2000 and 7000 Series Aluminium Castings: for Improvements in Fusion Welding, Mat. Sci. & Eng., A354, (2003) 188-198.
• P.J. Apps, J.R. Bowen and P.B. Prangnell, The Effect of Coarse Second-Phase Particles on the Rate of Grain Refinement During Severe Deformation Processing, Acta Mater, 51, (2003) 2811-2822.
• Kh. A.A. Hassan, A.F., Norman, D.A. Price, and P.B. Prangnell, Stability of Nugget Zone Grain Structures in High Strength Al-Alloy Friction Stir Welds During Solution Treatment, Acta Mater, 51, (2003) 1923 - 1936