LIGHT ALLOY DESIGN FOR AUTOMOTIVE, AEROSPACE AND BIO APPLICATIONS

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The current proposal is on the development of lightweight materials, aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg) for weight reduction in transport industries and on bio-absorbable implant materials for bio-medical applications. The current proposed program is different in that three innovative concepts not currently used by any similar research program in the field will be employed to develop effective new materials. These concepts are related to (i) crystal structure modification, (ii) the use of surface active elements and (iii) the innovative design of intra-granular nano-scale dispersoid in Mg and Al alloys. The alloys will have a range of improved properties such as creep resistance, formability, bio-degradability, bio-compatibility, bio-corrosion resistance or ignition resistance, and will be used in applications such as the car engine, diesel engine, car body structures, aircraft cabin interior, and biomedical implants. The team led by the applicant will include Postdoctoral Fellow (Dr A. Farkoosh), 4. PhD students (with scholarships), 2. M. Eng and 2 undergraduate students. There are current collaborations of the team with the industry (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Raufoss Automobile Parts, Baylis Medical). The HQP will be trained in light alloy development, transport materials, biomedical applications and on transferable skills in electron microscopy, surface and microstructural characterization, casting and wrought alloy microstructures; they will interact with the automotive, aerospace and bio industries. The research is important for the transport sector that has long-term goals in vehicle-weight reduction for fuel economy, performance and reduced emissions, which need to be balanced with cost targets and reliability. It is known that the growing CO2 emissions from the transportation sector currently contribute 25% of Canada's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the government has targeted a 45-65% reduction in GHGs by 2050. An example of impact is the Mg alloy developed by the applicant which was used on all BMW engine blocks for one decade 2004-2014 with 15% reduction in engine weight. The proposed research is also important for aircrafts that strive for a competitive edge in fuel economy which is only possible through weight reduction. The use of ignition proof Mg will enable aircraft weight reduction. In the biomedical field, the use of bio-degradable Mg cardiovascular stents will eliminate repeated stenting procedures which introduce additional health-related complications, decrease the life quality of the patient, increase the morbidity rate, and burden the health care system with additional cost. It will also eliminate the repeat surgeries in pediatric coronary patients for re-stenting during growth. Research on biocompatible Mg will also extend the use of Mg in drug delivery and as bone implants.