Thermomechanical Processing
Thermomechanical processing is the development of microstructure during deformation and associated annealing treatments. This is a very important in the commercial production of metallic materials and major theme in the Metallic Materials group. The structures produced during deformation at low and high temperatures, and during annealing, are studied in single phase and multiphase alloys. As well as investigating deformation and annealing as separate treatments, we study coupled phenomena, such as dynamic recrystallisation and dynamic grain growth.
A variety of mechanical processing and simulation techniques are used with structural analysis by methods including advanced electron microscopy. We have a particular emphasis on high-resolution orientation mapping by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and in-situ studies using EBSD as well as synchrotron and neutron diffraction techniques. Our experimental studies are complemented by analytical and modelling techniques. These include texture prediction, and crystal plasticity finite element, vertex and cellular automata modelling.
A major application of this work is in the processing of light alloys for aerospace and transport applications, through Manchester’s Light Alloy Portfolio Partnership (LATEST).
Research interests
- Aligned dislocation structures
- Development of EBSD techniques for microstructures in 2- and 3- dimensions
- Strain path change effects
- Recrystallisation
- Dynamic recrystallisation and dynamic grain growth
- Transformation textures
- Abnormal grain growth
- Second phase particle interactions