Development of efficient and scalable ultrasound-assisted solidification technologies for manufacturing advanced metallic alloys (Ultra-Cast)
Lead Research Organisation:
Diamond Light Source
Department Name: Science Division
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Thomas Connolley (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Connolley T
(2015)
DLS Experimental Report NT12131-1
Eskin DG
(2019)
Fundamental studies of ultrasonic melt processing.
in Ultrasonics sonochemistry
Wang B
(2018)
Data and videos for ultrafast synchrotron X-ray imaging studies of metal solidification under ultrasound
in Data in Brief
Wang B
(2018)
Ultrafast synchrotron X-ray imaging studies of microstructure fragmentation in solidification under ultrasound
in Acta Materialia
| Title | Ultrasound Vortex Image |
| Description | False colour image of ultrasound generated vortices in liquid metal. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Impact | Used in Daimond Light Source public engagement magazine, "Inside Diamond", Spring 2016 edition |
| Description | We have found that applying ultrasound to liquid metal alloys while they are freezing makes the particles which form much smaller. This is expected to improve the mechanical properties of the alloys, for example strength. In our high speed X-ray work on ultrasound effects in liquid metals, we were able to observe for the first time vortices or "whirlpools". In ongoing work, the appearance of these whirlpools will be compared with those predicted by computer modelling. Extensive observations have been made of the effect of ultrasound on growing primary phase in hypo-eutectic Al-15Cu and hyper-eutectic Al-35%Cu alloys. The findings have been published for the Al-35%Cu alloys. Further data analysis is in progress. In addition, we observed and published our observations of intermetallic particle growth on oxide particles, which was an additional finding not anticipated in the original proposal. Our expertise in high speed imaging has been applied in related projects to study the effects of ultrasound on particles in deep-etched alloy samples in a water medium, using visible light imaging. Further data analysis took place as part of a collaboration on a PhD project at the University of Hull, resulting in two more journal publications on the effect of ultrasound on particles which form when metal alloys solidify. |
| Exploitation Route | Eventually, our findings may be used in the commercial production of aluminium alloys and other metals. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | I have used some of the X-ray movies and images generated in this research during public open days at Diamond Light Source to demonstrate how the facility is used. Image used in Diamond Light Source public engagement magazine, "Inside Diamond", Spring 2016 edition |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Other |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Collaboration with Bristol/Oxford on DIC |
| Organisation | University of Bristol |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We had exsiting datasets of from high speed X-ray imaging of vortices generated by ultrasound in liquid metal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners contributed by using their expertise in Digital Image Correlation to analyse the vortex images and measure the velocity field. |
| Impact | A paper is in preparation |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | DLS-Hull University PhD Studentship: Experimental study of novel melt-processing methods for recycled aluminium alloys |
| Organisation | University of Hull |
| Department | Postgraduate Medical Institute Hull |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Joint funding and supervision of a PhD studentship between Diamond Light Source and The University of Hull. The overall aim of the Project is to investigate novel melt processing technologies which will enable the recycling of mixed aluminium scrap into high quality, high value materials for structural applications. Contibution includes joint beamtime proposals at Diamond Light Source and other facilities. Student spent a 1 year placement at Diamond Light Source, giving them valuable experience of working in a large national science facility. The student had access to Diamond's facilities for design, construction and testing of a high frequency magnetic field apparatus for studying the effect of alternating magnetic fields on molten alloys, in-situ with X-ray imaging. Support to University of Hull in implementing SAVU tomography reconstruction framework on the university's high performance computer. Loan of high speed imaging equipment to the University of Hull for visible light imaging experiments on ultrasound and electromagnetic field effects on materials. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Joint funding and supervision of a PhD studentship between Diamond Light Source and The University of Hull. Shared expertise in design of furnaces and sample environments. Teaching of student in research methods. Access to high performance computing cluster at University of Hull. Contribution of materials, sample poeparation and materials characterisation methods. |
| Impact | Three Journal Publications: A novel electromagnetic apparatus for in-situ synchrotron X-ray imaging study of the separation of phases in metal solidification (2020) Billy Koe , Colin Abraham , Chris Bailey , Bob Greening , Martin Small , Thomas Connolley , Jiawei Mi. HardwareX Volume 7, April 2020, e00104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2020.e00104 Multiscale characterization of the nucleation and 3D structure of Al3Sc phases using electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray tomography Yuliang Zhao , Weiwen Zhang , Billy Koe , Wenjia Du , Mengmeng Wang , Weilin Wang , Elodie Boller , Alexander Rack , Zhenzhong Sun , Da Shu , Baode Sun , Jiawei Mi Materials Characterization DOI: 10.1016/j.matchar.2020.110353 Multiscale characterization of the 3D network structure of metal carbides in a Ni superalloy by synchrotron X-ray microtomography and ptychography Zhiguo Zhang , Jia Chuan Khong , Billy Koe , Shifeng Luo , Shi Huang , Ling Qin , Silvia Cipiccia , Darren Batey , Andrew J. Bodey , Christoph Rau , Yu Lung Chiu , Zhu Zhang , Jean-christophe Gebelin , Nick Green , Jiawei Mi Scripta Materialia 193, 71 - 76 DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2020.10.032 |
| Start Year | 2016 |