Influence of Immediate Deformation and Natural Ageing on Al 6XXX Series Alloy Nanostructural Evolution

Constellium挤压通过开发高强度6XXX系列铝合金引领汽车轻量化。屈服应力高达400 MPa的合金目前是可获得的，但为了进一步减轻碰撞管理系统的重量，这些材料需要提高冲击能量吸收水平。一种新的制造路线正在开发中，以生产具有增强压碎性的合金，然而，缺乏对所需微观结构如何发展的基本理解。有一些开放的问题，围绕着最初的集群机制。显微镜技术的独特能力，原子探针断层扫描，其可视化和量化的能力，在原子尺度上的聚类的初始阶段的大小和化学，是必不可少的了解每个处理阶段对最终微观结构的影响，牛津大学是英国唯一在这一领域拥有专业知识的机构。该项目的目的是确定微量合金的影响添加剂对团簇形成的影响，并探讨了各种工艺参数（时间、温度、变形）对团簇动力学的影响。通过与Innoval Technology（英国班伯里）、Constellium和布鲁内尔大学快速原型中心的密切合作，可以评估对机械性能的后续影响，然后设计出具有改进的压碎性能的精心控制的微观结构。该项目将开发原子探针层析成像技术，以在一系列加工处理和合金成分之间进行直接的原子尺度微观结构比较。它还将结合特定地点的等离子体聚焦离子束样品制备技术和补充显微镜，如TEM，用于对加工合金的有效性进行整体表征。最终目标是将这种独特的3D纳米级信息与这些铝合金在汽车行业应用中的机械性能/性能优化相关联。该项目直接解决了EPSRC的主题，即制造未来。它还直接为EPSRC的优先领域做出贡献，例如：轻量化系统，材料表征和结构完整性和材料行为。它也有潜力在这一领域与其他英国学术和工业伙伴建立更大的合作联系。主题：工程;制造未来;物理科学

Constellium extrusion are leading the way for automotive light-weighting by the development of high strength 6XXX series aluminium alloys. Alloys with yield stresses up to 400MPa are currently obtainable, but in order to further reduce the weight of the crash management system, these materials need improved levels of energy absorption on impact.A novel fabrication route is under development to produce alloys with enhanced crushability, however, there is a lack of fundamental understanding of how the desired microstructure develops. There are a number of open questions surrounding the initial clustering mechanisms. The unique capability of the microscopy technique, atom probe tomography, with its ability to visualize and quantify the size and chemistry at the initial stages of clustering at the atomic scale, is essential to understanding the impact of each processing stage on the final microstructure, and Oxford University is the only facility in the UK with expertise in this area.The aims of this project are to identify the effects of trace alloy additions on the cluster formation, and explore the impact of various processing parameters (time temperature, deformation) on the clustering kinetics. By working in close collaboration with Innoval Technology (Banbury ,UK), Constellium and the rapid prototyping centre at Brunel University, the subsequent impact on mechanical properties can be assessed, and a carefully controlled microstructure will then be engineered with improved crush properties. The project will develop atom probe tomography techniques to make direct atomic-scale microstructural comparisons across a range of processing treatment and alloy compositions. It will also incorporate site-specific Plasma Focused Ion Beam specimen preparation techniques and complementary microscopy, such as TEM, for a holistic characterisation of the effectiveness of the processed alloys. Ultimately the goal is to correlate this unique 3D nanoscale information to optimising the mechanical properties/performance for applications of these Al alloys in the automotive sector.The project directly addresses the EPSRC theme, Manufacturing the Future. It also directly contributes to EPSRC priority areas such as: Lightweight Systems, Materials Characterisation and Structural Integrity and Materials Behaviour. It also has the potential to develop greater collaborative links in this area with other UK academic and industrial partners.Themes: Engineering; Manufacturing the future; Physical sciences