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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M89096/01
Title: ALLOY DEVELOPMENT FOR THIXOFORMING
Principal Investigator: Atkinson, Professor HV
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Alcan
Department: Materials Science and Engineering
Organisation: University of Sheffield
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 September 1999 Ends: 31 May 2003 Value (£): 248,894
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Thixoforming, or semi-solid processing, is the shaping of metal components in the semi-solid state. Several companies have recently started to use this innovative technology to manufacture automotive components on a mass production scale. However, alloys have been used which were already available such as the casting alloys A356 and A357. The challenge is now to develop alloys specifically for thixoforming and whose performance approaches that of the high strength wrought specification aluminize; alloys. Here a systematic scientific approach to alloy development for semi-solid processing will explore the critical issues: solidus-liquidus interval; fraction solid versus temperature; repeatability of feedstock material; morphology of structure; rheological properties in the semi-solid state. A novel rapid compression test developed at Sheffield will be used as one discrimator between candidate alloys. The overall scientific aim is to elucidate the key principles on which alloy design and development for semi-solid processing must be based.
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Organisation Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk