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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/J35023/01
Title: GRAIN BOUNDARY STRUCTURE OPTIMISATION
Principal Investigator: Randle, Professor V
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Materials Engineering
Organisation: Swansea University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 29 November 1993 Ends: 28 November 1996 Value (£): 128,565
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The aim of this programme is to investigate the optimisation of grain boundary properties in polycrystals by manipulation of the orientational parameters which control the boundary structure. There is great technological interest in an initiative to produce materials with 'engineered' grain boundaries since this will mitigate in-service intergranular degradation (eg creep cavitation etc). To date work within the remit of grain boundary engineering has tended to be empirical, and there is no consensus on the controlling factors. This programme will use modern diffraction techniques and methodologies in a scanning electron microscope to make a fundamental study in two pure materials of how the distribution of grain boundary crystallography can be controlled by 'free tuning' thermomechanical processing schedules. Furthermore, a crucial aim of the programme will be to propose mechanisms for the generation of specific boundary populations to underpin application of the scientific principles for grain boundary control to commercially important materials. The proposed programme will carry out the following: (i) characterise the combined crystallographic and topological parameters for pure nickel and copper using electron backscatter diffraction in a scanning electron microscope; (ii) Devise thermo- mechanical processing schedules designed to increase the proportion of good property boundaries.
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Organisation Website: http://www.swan.ac.uk