Materials World Network: Understanding the Microstructural Evolution and Deformation Behavior in Mg-Mn-RE Alloys

马德里理工大学（UPM，西班牙）、IMDEA材料研究所（马德里，西班牙）和密歇根州立大学（MSU）联合开展的这项合作研究结合了实验和计算计划，研究了镁锰稀土（Mg-Mn-RE）合金在加工过程中的微观结构演变以及由于机械变形而发生的损伤成核和进展。进行微观结构表征是为了建立基于晶体学的理解，了解变形行为的细节如何与加工过程中的晶粒成核和晶粒生长以及环境和高温拉伸和蠕变实验中的损伤成核相关。在扫描电子显微镜下进行的原位拉伸和拉伸蠕变实验允许识别初始损伤事件和变形进展以及变形演变。模拟实验表征的微观结构为解释和分析定量实验数据提供了一种手段。造成损伤的变形过程的细节被定量地识别出来。这些细节为将损伤成核和变形演化信息引入微观结构模型提供了框架。该方法通过开发将微观结构响应与宏观结构性能联系起来的预测能力，将材料和部件设计集成在一起。这项工作旨在克服结构合金最具挑战性的一个方面，在保持延展性的同时提高环境和高温强度和抗蠕变能力。其他方面的工作包括制作镁合金加工和表征的教育模块，扩大密歇根州立大学已建立的K-12外展项目，以便通过远程操作扫描电镜可以覆盖更多的美国和西班牙的K-12学生，为参与密歇根州立大学现有项目的本科生提供研究机会，以及那些参与密歇根州立大学和UPM之间的出国留学项目的本科生。该教学模块旨在促进镁合金材料教育。它们适合包含在K-12课程中，并且用英语和西班牙语创建，后者不仅可以在西班牙使用，也可以在美国的西班牙语社区使用。总的来说，提议的国际努力旨在通过理解新型Mg-Mn-RE合金的加工-微观结构-性能关系产生持久影响，同时也教育年轻科学家。

This collaborative research between the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM, Spain), IMDEA Materials Institute (Madrid, Spain), and Michigan State University (MSU) combines an experimental and computational plan to study the microstructural evolution during processing and the damage nucleation and progression that occurs due to mechanical deformation in magnesium-manganese-rare earth (Mg-Mn-RE) alloys. Microstructural characterization is performed in order to develop a crystallographically-based understanding of how details of the deformation behavior correlate with grain nucleation and grain growth during processing and damage nucleation during ambient and elevated-temperature tension and creep experiments. In-situ tensile and tensile-creep experiments performed inside a scanning electron microscope allow for the identification of the initial damage events and deformation progression as well as the deformation evolution. Simulations of experimentally-characterized microstructures provide a means to interpret and analyze the quantitative experimental data. The details of deformation processes that cause damage are quantitatively identified. Such details provide the framework for introducing damage nucleation and deformation evolution information into microstructural models. The methodology developed integrates material and component design by developing predictive capabilities that link microstructural response with macrostructure performance.This work seeks to overcome one of the most challenging aspects of structural alloys, increasing ambient and elevated-temperature strength and creep resistance while maintaining ductility. Other aspects of the work entail producing educational modules on processing and characterization of Mg alloys, expanding an established K-12 outreach program at MSU so that it can reach more K-12 students in the USA and Spain through remote operation of a SEM, providing research opportunities for undergraduate students involved in existing MSU programs as well as those to be involved in the study abroad program between MSU and the UPM. The educational modules are intended to promote materials education of Mg alloys. They are appropriate for inclusion in K-12 curriculum, and are created both in English and Spanish, the latter of which can be used not only in Spain but also in Spanish-speaking communities in the USA. Overall, the proposed international effort is intended to make a lasting effect by understanding processing-microstructure-property relationships of novel Mg-Mn-RE alloys, while also educating young scientists.