Materials Science and Engineering A-structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing 

Abstract: Magnesium is the lightest of all metals used as the basis for constructional alloys. It is this property which entices automobile manufacturers to replace denser materials, not only steels, cast irons and copper base alloys but even aluminium alloys by magnesium based alloys. The requirement to reduce the weight of car components as a result in part of the introduction of legislation limiting emission has triggered renewed interest in magnesium. The growth rate over the next 10 years has been forecast to be 7% per annum. A wider use of magnesium base alloys necessitates several parallel programs. These can be classified as alloy development, process development/improvement and design considerations. These will be discussed briefly and followed by some examples of the increasing uses of magnesium and future trends.

Abstract: Multicomponent alloys containing several components in equal atomic proportions have been manufactured by casting and melt spinning, and their microstructures and properties have been investigated by a combination of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, X-ray diffractrometry and microhardness measurements. Alloys containing 16 and 20 components in equal proportions are multiphase, crystalline and brittle both as-cast and after melt spinning. A five component Fe20Cr20Mn20Ni20Co20 alloy forms a single fcc solid solution which solidifies dendritically. A wide range of other six to nine component late transition metal rich multicomponent alloys exhibit the same majority fcc primary dendritic phase, which can dissolve substantial amounts of other transition metals such as Nb, Ti and V. More electronegative elements such as Cu and Ge are less stable in the fcc dendrites and are rejected into the interdendritic regions. The total number of phases is always well below the maximum equilibrium number allowed by the Gibbs phase rule, and even further below the maximum number allowed under non-equilibrium solidification conditions. Glassy structures are not formed by casting or melt spinning of late transition metal rich multicomponent alloys, indicating that the confusion principle does not apply, and other factors are more important in promoting glass formation.

Abstract: It is shown that simple shear can be considered a “near ideal” deformation method for structure and texture formation in metal-working. Equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) is a special industrial process employed to realize this method. In comparison with traditional metal-working operations, this process has a number of advantages; the most important is that extra-large, strictly uniform and unidirectional deformations can be produced under relatively low pressure and load for massive products. The unusual effects that are observed in both the structure and physical-mechanical properties of various metals and alloys suggest many new applications of the simple shear method in materials synthesis and processing.

Abstract: Titanium and titanium alloys are excellent candidates for aerospace applications owing to their high strength to weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance. Titanium usage is, however, strongly limited by its higher cost relative to competing materials, primarily aluminum alloys and steels. Hence the advantages of using titanium must be balanced against this added cost. The titanium alloys used for aerospace applications, some of the characteristics of these alloys, the rationale for utilizing them, and some specific applications of different types of actual usage, and constraints, are discussed as an expansion of previous reviews of β alloy applications. [1,2]