Objective
Objectives and content:
The prime objective of this programme is to develop a new class of magnesium alloys with excellent corrosion resistance combined with high ductility and strength, using highly innovative production routes. Alloys based on magnesium are some of the lightest structural materials readily available for commercial applications and they are easily recyclable. However, more widespread use of magnesium alloys has been limited, because conventional alloys have insufficient corrosion resistance, especially during galvanic coupling, for the more demanding applications in aeronautical and terrestrial transport and in domestic and industrial appliances. Major improvements in corrosion performance of magnesium have, up to the present time, been prevented by the limited range of alloys that are possible using conventional liquid metal processes such as casting and atomisation, due to the low boiling point of magnesium and the limited solubility of most elements in liquid magnesium.
In this programme Sputtering and Physical Vapour Deposition will be used by the two research organisations (ONERA and DERA) to produce high quality alloy samples. The mechanical alloying route will be employed by an SME (AMC Ltd) as an alternative, potentially cheaper, production process. Alloy compositions will be determined from theoretical considerations and from feedback of results in later stages of the programme. The alloys will be processed to a useful product form, primarily sheet, and assessed for their corrosion and mechanical performance by the Industrial (Aerospatiale, BAe), University ( Nancy and Stuttgart) and Research Institute(CENIM-CSIC) partners. The main achievement of the programme will be a demonstration of the potential of advanced processing techniques for producing magnesium alloys with major improvements in corrosion resistance together with a clear understanding of the corrosion mechanisms. In addition the programme will consider the further development of these very innovative concepts for commercial production. BE97-4349
Fields of science
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Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
LONDON
United Kingdom