New Generation of Castable Al Alloys Possessing High Strength and Elevated Electrical Conductivity

对具有高导电性的高强度铸造铝基合金的需求不断增加。这些铝合金的主要应用之一是制造电动汽车（EV）部件。这些部件通常通过高压压铸（HPDC）工艺制成，这要求具有很高的抗热撕裂性。因此，除了高屈服强度和改善电导率（EC）外，还需要良好的浇注性。然而，开发这样一种新的铝合金是相当具有挑战性的，因为上述要求是相互矛盾的因素。因此，需要有一个全面、系统的研究计划来开发具有高电导率和足够浇注性的高强度铝基合金。当前研究计划的三个主要短期目标是：1)利用热力学模型和实验数据的系统集成，开发由纳米沉淀物/分散体增强的可浇注铝导体；2)研究热处理参数对纳米析出物/分散体形成的影响；3)研制Al2O3纳米颗粒（nanop）增强高强度可浇注铝基复合材料导体，并进行hpdc制造中试。al - ni基合金含有不同的Si， Mg, Fe， Ce和Zr含量将被考虑。采用热力学模型模拟合金元素对凝固路径、组织演变和热撕裂敏感性的影响。将通过试验研究这些有发展前景的合金的浇注性能、力学性能和电导率。将开发一种创新的热处理工艺来促进纳米结构的沉淀/分散体。将进行先进的微观结构表征，以研究沉淀/分散体的形成动力学。将开发一个属性模型，以确定潜在的加强因素对强度和EC的贡献。此外，Al2O3纳米粒子（nanop）增强铝基复合材料导体也将被探索。用NiO颗粒合成Al熔体，通过铝热反应促进Al基体中Al2O3的纳米化。我们亦会进行中试生产试验，以验证所开发产品的可加工性和性能。这个ND项目的长期目标，与人工智能行业的优先事项保持一致，是建立一个包容性和多样化的研究小组，能够回答与人工智能转型相关的实际和基本挑战。在接下来的5年中，这些长期研究目标的实现将为未来的项目提供基础。该项目还将为5名在就业市场上具有竞争力的hqp提供多学科培训。该计划还将鼓励许多富有成效的国内和国际合作，并为人工智能产品和工艺开发的科学改进做出贡献。

The demand for high strength castable Al-based alloys possessing high conductivity is continuously increasing. One of the main applications of these Al alloys is on fabrication of electric vehicle (EV) components. These components are usually made through high pressure die-casting (HPDC) process, which requires high hot tearing resistance. Hence, in addition to high yield strength and improved electrical conductivity (EC), good castability is also required. However, developing such a new Al alloy is quite challenging, as the abovementioned requirements are contradicting factors. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic research plan is required to develop high strength Al-based alloys exhibiting high EC with sufficient castability. Three principal short term objectives of the current research program are to: 1) Develop castable Al conductors strengthened by nanosized precipitates/dispersoids using a systematic integration of thermodynamic models and experimental data; 2) Investigate the influence of heat-treatment parameters on the formation of nanosized precipitates/dispersoids; 3) Develop high-strength castable aluminum matrix composites conductors reinforced by Al2O3 nanoparticles (nanop) and conduct pilot HPDC-manufacturing trials. Al-Ni-based alloys containing various Si, Mg, Fe, Ce and Zr contents will be considered. Thermodynamic modeling will be employed to simulate the impact of the alloying elements on solidification path, microstructure evolution, and hot tearing susceptibility. The castability, mechanical properties and EC of the promising alloys will be investigated by experimental trials. An innovative heat treatment process will be developed to promote the nanostructured precipitates/dispersoids. Advanced microstructure characterisation will be conducted to study the formation kinetics of the precipitates/dispersoids. A property model will be developed to identify the contribution of underlying strengthening factors on strength and EC. Furthermore, Al matrix composites conductors reinforced by Al2O3 nanoparticles (nanop) will also be explored. The Al melt will be synthesized by NiO particles, to promote Al2O3 nanop in Al matrix through an aluminothermy reaction. A pilot manufacturing HPDC trials will also be conducted to validate the developed products' processability and performance. The long-term objective of this ND program, aligned with the Al industry's priorities, is to establish an inclusive and diverse research group capable of answering the practical and fundamental challenges related to Al transformation. Over the next 5 years, achievement of these long-term research goals will provide the foundation for future projects. This program will also provide multidisciplinary training for 5 HQPs who will be competitive in the job market. The program will also encourage many fruitful national and international collaborations, and contribute to the evolution of science-based improvements in Al products and process development.