Forming: Superplasticity, Severe Deformation and Ultrafine Grained Materials
Our research is focused on the production of materials with fine, or ultra-fine, and nano grain structures and their hot forming, but also includes work on conventional warm and cold formability of sheet metals.
We are active in investigating the production of ultra-fine grained materials using severe deformation methods, such as equi-channel angular extrusion (ECAE) and accumulative roll bonding (ARB), as well as friction stir processing, which can be used to produces controlled patterns of refined microstructure within sheet and plate materials. This work has some overlap with the Joining and Friction Welding theme. We have equipment for all of those processes. The basic mechanisms involved in the generation of the ultra-fine grain structures, and their evolution during hot forming, are also linked with the Thermomechanical Processing theme.
Our research on superplastic forming aluminium and magnesium alloy sheets considers the fundamentals of super-plasticity and uses a pilot scale, computer controlled press. The work on light alloys is for aerospace and transport applications and is part of the Light Alloy Portfolio Partnership.
Research interests
- Microstructure and texture evolution in severe deformation processes and ultrafine grained materials
- Mechanisms of grain refinement and temperature effects in severe deformation processing
- Texture and microstructure effects in sheet formability
- Fundamentals aspects of superplasticity
- Optimisation of superplastic forming
- Superplasticitiy in Mg alloys
- Creep-ageforming
Members of staff
- Professor Philip Prangnell
- Dr. Norman Ridley