EPSRC Reference: |
GR/H84246/01 |
Title: |
THIXOFORMING ALUMINIUM ALLOY/SILICON CARBIDE METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES |
Principal Investigator: |
Atkinson, Professor HV |
Other Investigators: |
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Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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Project Partners: |
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Department: |
Materials Science and Engineering |
Organisation: |
University of Sheffield |
Scheme: |
LINK |
Starts: |
01 January 1993 |
Ends: |
31 December 1994 |
Value (£): |
82,398
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EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Construction |
Transport Systems and Vehicles |
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Related Grants: |
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Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
The objectives of this proposed LINK project are confidential at this stage. This abstract is therefore deliberately written to only give the aims of the project in broad terms. Thixoforming is one of a family of semi-solid processing techniques which rely on the thixotropic (ie time and shear rate dependent viscosity) properties of slurries containing around 20% liquid. The slurry is obtained by partially melting a particular type of starting material to obtain a non-dendritic microstructure. This project will build on an existing PhD project which has shown that thixoforming Al alloy/SiC MMCs is feasible. Processing MMCs by thixoforming has advantages over routes which involve fully melting the matrix because the process is near net shape and requires less energy. In addition, there is limited time for particle/matrix reactions and defects which can occur with casting routes are avoided. The long term aim of this project is to work towards developing thixoformable particulate Al alloy/SiC MMC material for industrial applications of relevance to the aerospace and automotive sectors. The programme will include developing underlying scientific understanding of the rheology of semi-solid MMC materials, of the evolution of microstructure during heating into the semi-solid region prior to thixoforming and of the flow during the thixoforming process itself.
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Key Findings |
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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Impacts |
Description |
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Summary |
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Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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Project URL: |
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Further Information: |
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Organisation Website: |
http://www.shef.ac.uk |