| Project Team | Institution | Role | ||
| Mr Yang Cao | The University of New South Wales | Postgraduate Student | ||
| Professor Arne Dahle | The University of Queensland | Chief Investigator | ||
| Professor Michael Ferry | The University of New South Wales | Chief Investigator | ||
| Dr Mark Gibson | CSIRO/Monash University | Collaborator | ||
| Dr Kevin Laws | The University of New South Wales | Research Fellow | ||
| Mr Bastian Meylan | The University of Queensland | Postgraduate Student | ||
| Professor Barry Muddle | Monash University | Chief Investigator | ||
| Professor Simon Ringer | The University of Sydney | Chief Investigator | ||
| Mr Karl Shamlaye | The University of New South Wales | Postgraduate Student | ||
| Dr Sofiane Terzi | The University of Queensland | Research ellow | ||
| Mr Fitri Wahid | The University of New South Wales | Postgraduate Student | ||
| Dr Martin Xu | The University of New South Wales | Research Fellow | ||
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Executive Summary
This project has made significant progress in the discovery and development of new light-metal based amorphous, nanocrystalline and in-situ composite structured materials. A number of new light-weight amorphous alloys displaying superplastic forming properties at temperatures of 120°C have been discovered in the Mg-Cu-Ca ternary system, with small additions of Zn found to enhance their corrosion resistance. Research on Mg-Ca-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) has identified alloy systems with potential biocompatibility. Furthermore, new Mg-Zn based amorphous alloys have been found to exhibit extraordinary room temperature ductility whilst retaining yield strengths in excess of 800 MPa. New orientation relationships between metastable Mg-rich precipitates and Y-rich phases in an Mg-Cu-Y-Zn BMG composite have been identified and used to explain nucleation behaviour in this material. Mg-Cu-Gd BMG plate of thickness 2mm and width 50mm has been produced by twin roll casting and their thermomechanical behaviour and formability in the supercooled liquid region is under investigation. New Mg-Zn binary amorphous composite structures have been developed using semi-solid processing techniques and work has commenced on the development of new Ti-Cu-Ni-Zr-based BMGs.
This project has made significant progress in the discovery and development of new light-metal based amorphous, nanocrystalline and in-situ composite structured materials. A number of new light-weight amorphous alloys displaying superplastic forming properties at temperatures of 120°C have been discovered in the Mg-Cu-Ca ternary system, with small additions of Zn found to enhance their corrosion resistance. Research on Mg-Ca-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) has identified alloy systems with potential biocompatibility. Furthermore, new Mg-Zn based amorphous alloys have been found to exhibit extraordinary room temperature ductility whilst retaining yield strengths in excess of 800 MPa. New orientation relationships between metastable Mg-rich precipitates and Y-rich phases in an Mg-Cu-Y-Zn BMG composite have been identified and used to explain nucleation behaviour in this material. Mg-Cu-Gd BMG plate of thickness 2mm and width 50mm has been produced by twin roll casting and their thermomechanical behaviour and formability in the supercooled liquid region is under investigation. New Mg-Zn binary amorphous composite structures have been developed using semi-solid processing techniques and work has commenced on the development of new Ti-Cu-Ni-Zr-based BMGs.
Stream A: Fundamentals of formation of BMGs and their composites - Synthesis and property development of new BMGs
Project Progress: Technical Details and Research Outcomes
Alloy Exploration: A number of new light-weight amorphous alloys displaying superplastic formability at temperatures of 120°C have been discovered in the Mg-Cu-Ca ternary and Mg-Ag-Cu-Ca quaternary systems with minor additions of Zn found to enhance their corrosion resistance. Figure A11 shows the composition range of formation of each of these new bulk metallic glasses.
Alloy Exploration: A number of new light-weight amorphous alloys displaying superplastic formability at temperatures of 120°C have been discovered in the Mg-Cu-Ca ternary and Mg-Ag-Cu-Ca quaternary systems with minor additions of Zn found to enhance their corrosion resistance. Figure A11 shows the composition range of formation of each of these new bulk metallic glasses.
Alloy Development: A number of new Mg-Zn based amorphous alloys were developed and found to exhibit extraordinary room temperature ductility while retaining yield strengths in excess of 800 MPa. A structural investigation indicated that these alloys develop a segregated structure of two amorphous phases which is thought to be responsible for the improved ductility. Figure A12 shows a photograph of the material showing bending beyond 180° and back again and a focused ion beam (FIB) micrograph of the two-phase structure.
surface of an Yttrium-rich particle into the amorphous matrix.
(b) 3D FIB micrograph and schematic diagram showing the angular relationship between the particle and growing flakes.
(c) 3D FIB micrograph showing Mg flakes nucleating on a Y-rich particle and growing in multiple directions.
Current research areas of Project A4 will be continued, such as Mg-based BMG discovery and development of alloys with higher glass-forming ability and improved mechanical or functional properties. Several new higher degree research students will join the project, where they will carry out research on the development new Al- and Ti-based amorphous alloys and in-situ composites. The recent commissioning of rapid cooling, semi-solid-state equipment within the Centre will enable researchers to explore new methods for developing BMG composites. Research on direct strip casting of BMGs will be extended to produce continuous strip material based on new glassy alloy systems. Recently developed international collaborations with access to leading edge facilities are also expected to generate fundamental results leading to a greater understanding of these materials.