Metallic Materials
There is a large and vibrant research activity in metallic materials within the School, encompassing all aspects of metals, alloys and metallic composites. This includes their design, processing, forming, modelling, joining and performance.
Our research extends from the very applied to the fundamental underlying principles, and is supported by the use of simulations, modelling, and novel technologies and techniques.
We aim to be able to understand the basic mechanisms governing the formation of metal microstructures, as well as their processing into real components, their properties and performance, and environmental degradation and protection. We are also active in developing modelling tools to optimise the materials, for given applications, and predict their behaviour.
Image: World Map
This is a photograph of a beta-quenched zirconium alloy taken using polarised light in an optical microscope.
The coloured patches correspond to colonies of lamellas formed during rapid cooling from high temperature. The different crystallographic orientation of these colonies causes the differences in colour.
Research themes
Application areas focus on light alloys for aerospace and transport, high temperature materials for aero-engines and power generation, and metal composites.
Specific research areas include:
- Airframe, Aero-engine, and Transport Materials
- Forming: superplasticity, severe deformation and ultrafine grained materials
- Joining and Friction Welding
- Materials for Chemical, Process and Power Generation Industries
- Phase Equilibria and Transformations
- Stress, Damage and Failure Mechanisms
- Surface Treatment and Corrosion Protection
- Thermomechanical Processing
Facilities
State-of-the-art facilities are available within the school for microstructure and surface characterisation, modelling, processing, joining and surface treatment.
These include: high resolution analytical transmission electron microscope (FEGTEM), high resolution scanning electron microscopes (FEGSEMs) with integrated electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) systems for structure and phase identification, a focussed ion beam (FEI xT Nova Nanolab dual beam FIB) for sample preparation and 3D structure mapping, X-ray tomography, residual stress measurement suite (X-ray diffraction), optical surface strain mapping (electronic speckle patter interferometry - ESPI and image correlation), photoelectron spectroscopy and rf-glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy, Kelvin probe, nanoindentation, Rolling Mills, Superplastic forming press, equi-angle channel extrusion press (ECAE), thermomechanical simulation software, friction stir and inertia welding machines, salt spray and stress corrosion testing (autoclave).
There is also a comprehensive suite of proprietary and in-house developed software as well as computing facilities, for modelling of processes, performance, microstructure and texture.
Sponsors
Very strong links are maintained with industry and the funding councils.
Our sponsors include: EPSRC, DTI and EC, Agfa, Airbus, Alcan, Alcoa, BAe SYSTEMS, Bomardier, British Energy, Chemetal, Corus, Dassault Aviation, EADS, Elval, Hydro, BNFL, General Motors, Henkel Surface Technologies, Innoval, Jaguar, Magnesium Elektron, Metal Improvement Company, MoD, NDA, Nexia Solutions, Novelis, Outokumpa, Qinetiq, Serco Assurance, SNECMA, Seagate, Superform metals, Timet, TWI, 3M, Rolls-Royce and Westinghouse.