Novel Zirconium Refined Magnesium Alloys

镁是最轻的结构金属。它既是可回收的，也很容易使用标准的金属生产技术制造。因此，镁合金在交通和其他领域的轻量化应用中具有极大的吸引力。与钢或铝等更广泛使用的工程合金相比，镁具有一些独特的特性。尤其是要获得最佳的镁合金性能，细化晶粒是至关重要的。最强的细化效果是通过添加少量的锆来实现的，但这可能会限制所使用的其他合金添加剂，因为它们可能与锆不相容。为了设计改进的镁合金，有必要更好地了解Zr与候选合金化添加剂之间的相互作用。本项目将采用模拟和实验相结合的方法来预测在Mg-Zr-X系统(其中X是过渡金属添加)中联合添加Zr和其他可能有用的合金化添加的效果。特别是，需要更好地了解有潜力改善腐蚀性能的元素与锆的相互作用。该项目将包括对试验合金的计算模型和实验研究。建模将用于预测给定合金成分可能形成的相，并确定感兴趣的成分。最有希望的成分将被生产出来，并进行实验研究。将评估腐蚀性能和微观结构，确定性能和微观结构特征之间的联系。实验方法将包括电子显微镜表征微观结构、机械测试和扫描开尔文探针以帮助了解腐蚀性能。合作伙伴公司Luxfer Mel Technologies是一家总部位于英国的高性能镁的开发商和生产商，被认为发明了比其他任何公司都多的新合金。该项目将涉及与Luxfer Mel Technologies的研究人员密切合作，这些研究人员位于曼彻斯特的技术中心。这将包括借调到Luxfer Mel获得在工业环境中进行研究的经验的机会。

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal. It is both recyclable and easily fabricated using standard metal production techniques. As such, magnesium alloys are highly attractive for lightweight applications in transport and other sectors. Magnesium has some unique characteristics compared to the more widely used engineering alloys such as steel or aluminium. In particular, grain refinement is critical to obtain the best performance in magnesium alloys. The most powerful grain refining effect is achieved by small additions of zirconium (Zr) but this can place limits on the other alloying additions used, since they may not be compatible with Zr. To design improved magnesium alloys, it is necessary to better understand the interaction of Zr with candidate alloying additions. This project will use both modelling and experiment to predict the effect of joint additions of Zr and other potentially useful alloying additions in Mg-Zr-X systems (where X is a transition metal addition). In particular, a better understanding is needed of the interactions with Zr for elements that have potential to improve the corrosion performance.The project will involve both computational modelling and experimental investigation of trial alloys. Modelling will be used to predict what phases are likely to form for given alloy compositions and identify compositions of interest. The most promising compositions will be produced and studied experimentally. Corrosion performance and microstructure will be evaluated, with the link between performance and microstructural features determined. Experimental methods will include electron microscopy to characterize microstructure, mechanical testing, and scanning kelvin probe to help understand corrosion performance.The partner company, Luxfer MEL technologies is a UK based developer and producer of high-performance magnesium, credited with inventing more new alloys than any other company. The project will involve close collaboration with Luxfer MEL technologies researchers, based at their technology centre in Manchester. This will include the opportunity for secondment to Luxfer MEL to gain experience of undertaking research in an industrial setting.