EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M89096/01 |
Title: |
ALLOY DEVELOPMENT FOR THIXOFORMING |
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: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
Starts: |
01 September 1999 |
Ends: |
31 May 2003 |
Value (£): |
248,894
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EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Manufacturing |
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 |
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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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 |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Project URL: |
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Further Information: |
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Organisation Website: |
http://www.shef.ac.uk |