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USA - High Temperature Properties of Nanoparticle Strengthened Cast Aluminum and Magnesium Alloys

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The need of cast Al and Mg alloys having elevated temperature (>250 C) capabilities is expected to increase as automotive industries are forced to improve the fuel efficiency of their products. High Performance Al and Mg nanocomposites are extremely valuable in that these lightweight materials are expected to offer both superior room temperature and high temperature performance. Lightweight MMNCs will be of significance to automobile, aerospace and numerous other applications. A method that combines solidification processes with ultrasonic cavitation based dispersion of nanoparticles in Al and Mg alloy melts was developed by Professor Xiaochun Li at University of Wisconsin-Madison through a funded project from American Foundry Society. Equipment was demonstrated in a laboratory setting to produce small samples, proving the approach was feasible and significant property improvements obtained.

This project is to demonstrate the effect of nanoparticle strengthening on elevated temperature mechanical properties of Cast Al and Mg alloys. High temperature tensile (up to 400 ºC) and creep testing will be conducted in a modified MTS tensile testing machine. The research will establish knowledge bases for the nanoparticle effect on high temperature properties of the nano-structured Mg and Al alloys (e.g. AM60 and A319). It is expected to achieve significantly improved high temperature properties in the nano-structured Al and Mg alloys. Microstructure study will focus on fracture surface and nanoparticle dispersion effects.

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