Objective
The ExoMet proposal revolves around innovative liquid metal engineering and the application of external physical fields, in order to significantly influence the microstructures and properties of light alloys, such as aluminium and magnesium. Three types of external fields will be explored, namely: electromagnetic, ultrasonic and intensive mechanical shearing.
To meet the future EU challenges of lightweighting and pollution reduction, especially relevant in transportation, it is necessary to improve the castability of light alloys, to enhance grain and eutectic refinement in monolithic alloys, and to develop new high-strength nanocomposites using nano-reinforcers which have only recently become available. Significant mechanical property improvements are foreseen in ExoMet - including 50% increases in tensile strength and ductility, as well as creep resistance up to 300-350 degC (currently limited to about 200 degC in Al and Mg alloys). This applies to both shape castings and wrought products like extruded profiles, bar, cable, sheet and plate.
Manufacturing scale-up will be tackled in ExoMet, using a variety of techniques such as low and high-pressure die casting, sand casting, investment casting, differential-presssure casting, twin-roll casting, ultrasound-assisted casting and twin-shear casting. The application of external fields to these industrial techniques is novel and would bring about major savings in energy, scrap and processing cost.
Having developed the field-enabled processes and produced high-quality light alloys and nanocomposites, the next stage of ExoMet will be prototypying and the assessment of industrial applications in four selected commercial sectors: (i) automotive powertrain and chassis, (ii) aircraft and aero-engine structures, (iii) space satellite and rockets, and (iv) high-strength high-conductivity Al electrical cabling. Computer modelling, rig-testing, standardisation, life-cycle analysis and patenting will also be undertaken.
Fields of science
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseeds
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkaline earth metals
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringnanocomposites
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
FP7-NMP-2011-LARGE-5
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
CP-IP - Large-scale integrating projectCoordinator
75015 PARIS
France
See on map
Participants (28)
Participation ended
00187 ROMA
See on map
82024 Taufkirchen
See on map
31700 BLAGNAC
See on map
10043 Orbassano
See on map
405 08 Goteborg
See on map
65634 KARLSTAD
See on map
Participation ended
0283 OSLO
See on map
Participation ended
S60 1DL ROTHERHAM
See on map
5340 KL OSS
See on map
63450 HANAU
See on map
92220 BAGNEUX
See on map
70599 Stuttgart
See on map
20009 DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIAN (GIPUZKOA)
See on map
21502 Geesthacht
See on map
28906 Getafe
See on map
1121 Budapest
See on map
38031 Grenoble Cedex 1
See on map
M13 9PL Manchester
See on map
7491 Trondheim
See on map
76821 Mont Saint Aignan Cedex
See on map
UB8 3PH Uxbridge
See on map
SE10 9LS London
See on map
10129 Torino
See on map
B15 2TT Birmingham
See on map
634050 TOMSK
See on map
4072 Brisbane
See on map
9936 TE Farmsum
See on map
10040 Rivalta Di Torino
See on map