Development of efficient and scalable ultrasound-assisted solidification technologies for manufacturing advanced metallic alloys (Ultra-Cast)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Hull
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
This proposal is submitted in response to the EPSRC Manufacturing the Future Call for Investigator-led Research Projects open on 09 July 2013.
This proposal addresses the urgent need of the metal materials and manufacture industry to search and adopt next-generation, step-change technologies for the manufacturing of primary ingots and/or shaped components with much improved mechanical properties and reliability, less energy consumption and negative environmental impact, e.g. Al and Mg alloys for mass transport applications, consumer products, Ni superalloy for industrial gas turbines (IGTs) for energy generation. At present, our economic competitors are conducting extensive research in this area.
By adopting lighter alloys with better mechanical properties and reliability, mass transport systems can reduce energy consumption, adverse environmental impact, making wider application of alternative fuel schemes possible. While with improved materials performance, IGTs can be operated at a higher temperature duty cycle to increase the efficiency of energy generation.
Casting is one of the most widely used and productive manufacturing technologies for these and other applications. Ultrasonic cavitation treatment offers sustainable, economical and pollution-free solutions to melt processing and casting of conventional and advanced metallic materials with significant improvement in mechanical properties and quality of the products manufactured.
Although demonstrated on a laboratory scale, the ultrasound-assisted casting technique has not yet found widespread industrial application, mostly due to the lack of in-depth understanding of the mechanisms that lead to the macro/microstructure improvement, especially on the mechanisms of enhancing nucleation and crystal multiplication at different stages of solidification processes.
The proposed programme will study the solidification fundamentals of metallic alloys under applied ultrasonic waves, and develop industrial exploitable methodologies to control and optimise the solidified microstructure under the influence of ultrasonic waves. The goal is to realise distinct materials performance improvements in cast products through microstructure refinement, increased chemical and microstructural homogeneity and the reduction of solidification defects in primary ingots and shaped castings.
The proposed research is ambitious and challenging, aiming to study not only the fundamental mechanisms but also to establish practical methodologies of using ultrasound to promote grain nucleation and multiplication during different stages of solidification in metallic alloys.
The novelty of the research is a combination of state-of-the-art in-situ ultra-high speed imaging studies plus advanced numerical modelling and scale-up experiments performed on real metallic alloys.
The outcomes will be new knowledge and novel technological guidelines with their validity demonstrated using commercial alloys and castings produced in the pilot and industrial-scale facilities of the EPSRC Innovative Manufacturing Centre in Liquid Metal Engineering (LiME) and industry partner, Doncasters Group Ltd, providing industry with the knowledge, methodologies and tools to control microstructure of castings using ultrasound technology.
This proposal addresses the urgent need of the metal materials and manufacture industry to search and adopt next-generation, step-change technologies for the manufacturing of primary ingots and/or shaped components with much improved mechanical properties and reliability, less energy consumption and negative environmental impact, e.g. Al and Mg alloys for mass transport applications, consumer products, Ni superalloy for industrial gas turbines (IGTs) for energy generation. At present, our economic competitors are conducting extensive research in this area.
By adopting lighter alloys with better mechanical properties and reliability, mass transport systems can reduce energy consumption, adverse environmental impact, making wider application of alternative fuel schemes possible. While with improved materials performance, IGTs can be operated at a higher temperature duty cycle to increase the efficiency of energy generation.
Casting is one of the most widely used and productive manufacturing technologies for these and other applications. Ultrasonic cavitation treatment offers sustainable, economical and pollution-free solutions to melt processing and casting of conventional and advanced metallic materials with significant improvement in mechanical properties and quality of the products manufactured.
Although demonstrated on a laboratory scale, the ultrasound-assisted casting technique has not yet found widespread industrial application, mostly due to the lack of in-depth understanding of the mechanisms that lead to the macro/microstructure improvement, especially on the mechanisms of enhancing nucleation and crystal multiplication at different stages of solidification processes.
The proposed programme will study the solidification fundamentals of metallic alloys under applied ultrasonic waves, and develop industrial exploitable methodologies to control and optimise the solidified microstructure under the influence of ultrasonic waves. The goal is to realise distinct materials performance improvements in cast products through microstructure refinement, increased chemical and microstructural homogeneity and the reduction of solidification defects in primary ingots and shaped castings.
The proposed research is ambitious and challenging, aiming to study not only the fundamental mechanisms but also to establish practical methodologies of using ultrasound to promote grain nucleation and multiplication during different stages of solidification in metallic alloys.
The novelty of the research is a combination of state-of-the-art in-situ ultra-high speed imaging studies plus advanced numerical modelling and scale-up experiments performed on real metallic alloys.
The outcomes will be new knowledge and novel technological guidelines with their validity demonstrated using commercial alloys and castings produced in the pilot and industrial-scale facilities of the EPSRC Innovative Manufacturing Centre in Liquid Metal Engineering (LiME) and industry partner, Doncasters Group Ltd, providing industry with the knowledge, methodologies and tools to control microstructure of castings using ultrasound technology.
Planned Impact
The applied methodologies and technical guidelines for control the solidification microstructure using ultrasound developed from this project will provide the industry with novel melt processing and casting technologies to produce metal alloy ingots and/or components with much less energy consumption and adverse environmental impact while with improved mechanical properties and performance that will have direct impact on promoting the competitiveness of the industries in materials manufacture such as primary materials manufacturers, e.g. Alcoa, Novelis, Rio-Tinto-Alcan for Al alloys, Doncasters and Rolls-Royce for Ni superalloy casting and components.
Typical examples include applying the developed technology and guidelines to direct-chill and shape casting to manufacture products with much improved microstructure and reliability, the development of novel metal-matrix composite materials, etc. In addition, the obtained knowledge and models can be used in other research and industrial fields where cavitation is induced in a physico-chemical system. Examples of such systems can be found in many pharmaceutical, biotechnological, chemical, and food industries where ultrasonic devices are currently widely used.
All in all the cavitation-aided melt processing technologies and the manufactured materials enabled by the fundamental knowledge, numerical models and up-scaling methodology gained in this project will contribute to the improvement of the quality of life through environmental sustainability, reduced green-house effect, and the development of new products, and also strengthen the international competitiveness of UK industry.
The benefit gained from the materials manufacture sectors will be passed onto their end users through materials supply chains into many other sectors such as energy, transportation, aerospace, biomedicine, etc. The UK is particularly strong in turbine-engine and civil/military aircraft manufacture and biomedicine; and these are the typical industrial sectors that rely on many advanced materials with high value added through quantitative control of their chemistry and manufacture process by novel solidification technologies.
Typical examples include applying the developed technology and guidelines to direct-chill and shape casting to manufacture products with much improved microstructure and reliability, the development of novel metal-matrix composite materials, etc. In addition, the obtained knowledge and models can be used in other research and industrial fields where cavitation is induced in a physico-chemical system. Examples of such systems can be found in many pharmaceutical, biotechnological, chemical, and food industries where ultrasonic devices are currently widely used.
All in all the cavitation-aided melt processing technologies and the manufactured materials enabled by the fundamental knowledge, numerical models and up-scaling methodology gained in this project will contribute to the improvement of the quality of life through environmental sustainability, reduced green-house effect, and the development of new products, and also strengthen the international competitiveness of UK industry.
The benefit gained from the materials manufacture sectors will be passed onto their end users through materials supply chains into many other sectors such as energy, transportation, aerospace, biomedicine, etc. The UK is particularly strong in turbine-engine and civil/military aircraft manufacture and biomedicine; and these are the typical industrial sectors that rely on many advanced materials with high value added through quantitative control of their chemistry and manufacture process by novel solidification technologies.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Jiawei Mi (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Eskin DG
(2019)
Fundamental studies of ultrasonic melt processing.
in Ultrasonics sonochemistry
Huang H
(2021)
Ultrasound cavitation induced nucleation in metal solidification: An analytical model and validation by real-time experiments.
in Ultrasonics sonochemistry
Li F
(2015)
In situ synchrotron X-ray studies of the coupled effects of thermal and solutal supercoolings on the instability of dendrite growth
in Materials Characterization
Li Z
(2021)
Characterization of the Convoluted 3D Intermetallic Phases in a Recycled Al Alloy by Synchrotron X-ray Tomography and Machine Learning
in Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters)
Manuwong T
(2015)
Solidification of Al Alloys Under Electromagnetic Pulses and Characterization of the 3D Microstructures Using Synchrotron X-ray Tomography
in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A
Manuwong Theerapatt
(2015)
Solidification of metal alloys in pulse electromagnetic fields
Mi J
(2019)
Light Metals 2019
Mi J
(2014)
In Situ Synchrotron X-ray Study of Ultrasound Cavitation and Its Effect on Solidification Microstructures
in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B
Qin L
(2023)
Determining the Critical Fracture Stress of Al Dendrites near the Melting Point via Synchrotron X-ray Imaging
in Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters)
Tan D
(2015)
High-Speed Synchrotron X-ray Imaging Studies of the Ultrasound Shockwave and Enhanced Flow during Metal Solidification Processes
in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A
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
Wang C
(2015)
High speed synchrotron X-ray imaging of ultrasonic bubble cloud in liquid metal
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Wang C
(2019)
Characterization of Ultrasonic Bubble Clouds in A Liquid Metal by Synchrotron X-ray High Speed Imaging and Statistical Analysis.
in Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
Wang F
(2016)
Effect of ultrasonic melt treatment on the refinement of primary Al3Ti intermetallic in an Al-0.4Ti alloy
in Journal of Crystal Growth
Wang F
(2017)
Light Metals 2017
Wang F
(2016)
A refining mechanism of primary Al3Ti intermetallic particles by ultrasonic treatment in the liquid state
in Acta Materialia
Wang F
(2018)
In-situ synchrotron X-ray radiography observation of primary Al2Cu intermetallic growth on fragments of aluminium oxide film
in Materials Letters
Wang F
(2017)
On the occurrence of a eutectic-type structure in solidification of Al-Zr alloys
in Scripta Materialia
Wang F
(2017)
In situ observation of ultrasonic cavitation-induced fragmentation of the primary crystals formed in Al alloys.
in Ultrasonics sonochemistry
Wang S
(2019)
In situ high speed imaging study and modelling of the fatigue fragmentation of dendritic structures in ultrasonic fields
in Acta Materialia
Wang S
(2021)
3D Phase Field Modeling of Multi-Dendrites Evolution in Solidification and Validation by Synchrotron X-ray Tomography.
in Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
Xiang K
(2023)
Characterisations of the Al-Mn intermetallic phases formed under pulse magnetic fields solidification
in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Yang J
(2015)
Ab initio simulation: The correlation between the local melt structure and segregation behavior of Fe, V, Ti and Si in liquid Al
in Computational Materials Science
Zhang Z
(2021)
Multiscale characterization of the 3D network structure of metal carbides in a Ni superalloy by synchrotron X-ray microtomography and ptychography
in Scripta Materialia
Zhao Y
(2020)
Multiscale characterization of the nucleation and 3D structure of Al3Sc phases using electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray tomography
in Materials Characterization
Zhao Y
(2018)
3D characterisation of the Fe-rich intermetallic phases in recycled Al alloys by synchrotron X-ray microtomography and skeletonisation
in Scripta Materialia
| Description | In this project, a dedicated and advanced ultrasound solidification experimental apparatus was upgraded and optimized for real-time and in-situ studies of the highly dynamic and multiphysics phenomena in the solidification processes under ultrasound. Systematic experimental studies were conducted at the speciality beamlines at the Advanced Photon Source, Diamond Light Source, Swiss Light Source, BESSY II Germany, Soleil France and European Radiation Facility in the duration of the project. The ultrafast and/or high speed X-ray radiography and tomography techniques available at those beamlines were used to study in-situ and in near operando conditions the highly transient phenomena of ultrasonic bubble dynamics in liquid metals and semi-solid metal alloys; as well as the dynamic interactions between ultrasonic bubbles, acoustic flow and solidifying phases. Numerical models for the calculation of acoustic pressure, the velocity and pressure produced at bubble implosion and oscillation were also developed and validated against the information acquired in the in-situ experiments. Approximately 100 terabit real-time 2D image and 3D tomography data and the associated simulations provided convincing evidence and more quantitative understanding on the relationship between the evolution of ultrasonic bubbles (nucleation, oscillation and implosion) and the acoustic pressure field and the melt conditions. The dynamic interactions between ultrasonic bubbles and the growing dendritic and intermetallic phases were systematically and thoroughly studied in a number of alloy systems, including the Zn phases in a Bi-8%Zn alloy, Al3Ti phases in an Al-0.4%Ti alloy, Al dendrites in an Al-15%Cu alloy, Al2Cu phases in an Al-35%Cu alloy, metal carbides in an IN713 Ni superalloy. The keys findings are: In a liquid metal with an ultrasound intensity above the cavitation threshold, phase fragmentation occurs in different time scale via different mechanisms: (1) The imploding bubbles can produce shock wave, very efficiently breaking up or fracture growing dendrites and/or phases in a time scale of a few microsecond. (2) The oscillating bubbles can produce fatigue effect on growing dendrites and phases, causing dendrite and phase fragmentation in a few tens of milliseconds (3) The enhanced acoustic flow can also cause dendrite fragmentation due to the thermal perturbation induced remelting plus mechanical fracture and separation effect in a few tens to a few hundreds of milliseconds These are the unique phase and grain multiplication effect and are the dominant mechanisms for structure refinement in ultrasound processing of metal alloys. In the liquid state, ultrasound cavitation-enhanced heterogeneous nucleation effect was also found to be effective in increasing heterogeneous nucleation sites and therefore promoting the refinement of the primary dendritic or intermetallic phases. In addition, the 3D structures and morphology of the metal carbides in an IN713 Ni superalloy, and those of the Fe-rich intermetallic phases in higher Fe contained Al-5%Cu alloys were also revealed, for the first time, by the dedicated tomography experiments. The fragmentations of the metal carbides in the IN713 Ni superalloy by ultrasound implosion and oscillation were also demonstrated for the first time. |
| Exploitation Route | The dispersion of nano/micro particles by ultrasound cavitation and streaming flow was widely used in enhancing the chemical reactions between different chemical species. Supported by an EPSRC feasibility study project, we applied this method in enhancing the catalytic esterification of pyrolysis bio-oil for producing bio-oil from biomass pyrolysis. The results can be directly used by R&D centres and industry for up-scale ultrasound processing of metallic alloy melts (casting technology). The models and fundamental knowledge developed can be used for the advances in new technologies in metallurgical and other industries. For example, together with colleagues worked in Chemical Engineering, we won an EPSRC feasibility study project and demonstrated to use ultrasound to enhance the catalytic esterification of pyrolysis bio-oil for producing bio-oil from biomass pyrolysis. The new findings are of interest to both the academic community (sonochemistry, acoustics, physical chemistry, materials science, hydraulics) and industry (metal production, manufacturing, chemical and food industry). The applied methodologies for controlling the solidification microstructure using ultrasound developed based on the results of this project will provide the industry with novel melt processing and casting technologies to produce metal alloy ingots and/or components with much less energy consumption and adverse environmental impact while improving mechanical properties and performance that will have direct impact on promoting the competitiveness of the industries in materials manufacture such as primary materials manufacturers, e.g. AMG Aluminum, and Novelis for Al alloys, Doncasters for Ni superalloy casting and components, etc. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | https://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/research/groups/advanced-materials-and-acoustics |
| Description | Research Impact: In this project, we observed, for the first time, in situ and in real-time the cavitation-driven fragmentation of real intermetallic phases during the solidification processes, revealing that the fragmentation process is not instantaneous but in a fatigue manner. Another major and important finding is that the nucleation of intermetallic phases on oxides has been experimentally observed and confirmed, opening up the door for using oxide particles as a structure-controlling medium. Those findings have produced tens of high impact journal papers during and beyond the lifetime of the project. Industry upscaling of the methodologies continued in the following up funded EPSRC projects ("Upscaling environment-friendly cavitation melt treatment (EP/R011001/1, EP/R011044/1, EP/R011095/1)", which involved some major industry players, e.g., Constellium UK Ltd, Kaiser Aluminium, Anton Paar UK Ltd. The findings were also explored in other research field, for example, the PI was also involved another EPSRC feasibility study project "ultrasound enhanced catalytic esterification of pyrolysis bio-oil". This project also pioneered a number of research techniques for in-situ observations of ultrasonic-affected nucleation and fragmentation behaviors, which are currently widely used by our research groups in studying of a wider range of materials, including the exfoliation of 2D materials. Those findings have practical and basic value for other fields where cavitation is currently used or can be used, e. g. food and chemical industry (dispersion and fragmentation, emulsification) and metallurgy (dispersion and fragmentation). |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Chemicals,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub 2015 Research Grant; Project title: "Feasibility study of ultrasound-enhanced catalytic esterification of pyrolysis bio-oil" |
| Amount | £19,800 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2015 |
| End | 08/2016 |
| Description | Sustainable and industrially scalable ultrasonic liquid phase exfoliation technologies for manufacturing 2D advanced functional materials (EcoUltra2D) |
| Amount | £330,623 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/R031819/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 09/2021 |
| Description | The EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Liquid Metal Engineering Feasibility Studies on Solidification and Casting; Project title: "Studies of nucleation controlled carbide morphology during the solidification of cast Ni superalloys" |
| Amount | £23,800 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2014 |
| End | 11/2014 |
| Title | Data and videos for ultrafast synchrotron X-ray imaging studies of metal solidification under ultrasound |
| Description | The data presented in this article are related to the paper entitled 'Ultrafast synchrotron X-ray imaging studies of microstructure fragmentation in solidification under ultrasound' [Wang et al., Acta Mater. 144 (2018) 505-515]. This data article provides further supporting information and analytical methods, including the data from both experimental and numerical simulation, as well as the Matlab code for processing the X-ray images. Six videos constructed from the processed synchrotron X-ray images are also provided. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | These are a set of high speed X-ray image data and the relevant numerical simulation results (including the Matlab code used for processing the X-ray images) made available for the researchers and engineers to understand the multi-physics and multi-length scale phenomena in ultrasound materials processing. The information is valuable for modelling and simulation validation and developing the optimization strategy for ultrasound melt processing in industry. |
| URL | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340918301148?via%3Dihub |
| Description | Established a collaborative research consortium with Cranfield University |
| Organisation | Cranfield University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In the past 2 years or so, my team at University of Hull collaborated with the research team at the Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Centre of Cranfield University and formed a research consortium with Brunel University and industry partners to bid for the EPSRC funding call "Sustainable manufacturing, 15 July 2021". My team is responsible for developing low-energy and sustainable external field-based melt processing technology for recycled aluminium alloys. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Cranfield team is responsible for developing digital network-enabled transformation technologies and circular economy-based business model for the casting industry to manufacture aluminium based materials for the low carbon economy. |
| Impact | So far there is no publication output yet. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Linked project with Brunel University (EP/L019884/1) |
| Organisation | Brunel University London |
| Department | Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | My team at Hull University is responsible for the tasks of (1) High speed imaging of ultrasonic bubbles and their interactions with solidifying phases and metal oxides, (2) modelling and simulation of ultrasonic bubble implosion and oscillation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Brunel team (Prof Dmitry Eskin's team) is responsible for studying the refinement/activation of primary phases and substrates in bulk liquid melt; (2) Upscaling of ultrasound-assisted casting for bulk volume melt. |
| Impact | 1. B. Wang, D. Tan, T.L. Lee, J. C. Khong, F. Wang, D. Eskin, T. Connolley, K. Fezzaa, J. Mi Ultrafast synchrotron X-ray imaging studies of microstructure fragmentation in solidification under ultrasound, Acta Materialia, Vol. 144, 1 February 2018, Pages 505-515. IF: 5.301 2. Y. Zhao, W. Du, B. Koe, T. Connolley, S. Irvine, P. K. Allan, C. M. Schlepütz, W. Zhang, F. Wang, D.G. Eskin, and J. Mi 3D Characterisation of the Fe-rich intermetallic phases in Al-5%Cu alloys by synchrotron X-ray microtomography and skeletonisation, Scripta Materialia, Vol. 146 (2018), Pages 321-326, IF: 3.747 3. F. Wang, D. Eskin, J. Mi, C. Wang, B. Koe, A. King, C. Reinhard, T. Connolley A synchrotron X-radiography study of the fragmentation and refinement of primary intermetallic particles in an Al-35Cu alloy induced by ultrasonic melt processing (2017), Acta Materialia, Vol. 141, December 2017, Pages 142-153. IF: 5.301. 4. F. Wang, D. Eskin, T. Connolley, C. Wang, B. Koe, A. King, C. Reinhard, J. Mi, In-situ synchrotron X-ray radiography observation of primary Al2Cu intermetallic growth on fragments of aluminium oxide film, Materials Letters, Vo. 213, 15 February 2018, Pages 303-305. 5. F. Wang, I. Tzanakis, D. Eskin, J. Mi, T. Connolley In-situ observation of ultrasonic cavitation-induced fragmentation of the primary crystals formed in Al alloys, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 39 (2017) 66-76. IF: 4.218 6. F. Wang, D. Eskin, A. Khvan, K. Starodub, T. Connolley, J. Mi On the occurrence of a eutectic type-like structure in solidification of Al-Zr alloys, Scripta Materialia (2017), Vol. 133, 75-78. IF: 3.747 7. F. Wang, D. Eskin, J. Mi, T. Connolley, M. Mounib, J. Lindsay A Refining Mechanism of Primary Al3Ti Intermetallic Particles by Ultrasonic Treatment in the Liquid State, Acta Materialia 116 (2016) 354-363, IF: 5.301. 8. F. Wang, D. Eskin, T. Connoley, J. Mi Effect of ultrasonic melt treatment on the refinement of primary Al3Ti intermetallic in an Al-0.4Ti alloy, Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol. 435 (2016), Pages 24-30, IF: 1.698. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Linked project with Diamond Light Source (EP/L019825/1) |
| Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | An advanced ultrasound solidification apparatus for in-situ studies of the solidification microstructures |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise for synchrotron X-ray radiography and tomography experiments, and the relevant data analyses. |
| Impact | 1. B. Wang, D. Tan, T.L. Lee, J. C. Khong, F. Wang, D. Eskin, T. Connolley, K. Fezzaa, J. Mi Ultrafast synchrotron X-ray imaging studies of microstructure fragmentation in solidification under ultrasound, Acta Materialia, Vol. 144, 1 February 2018, Pages 505-515. IF: 5.301 2. Y. Zhao, W. Du, B. Koe, T. Connolley, S. Irvine, P. K. Allan, C. M. Schlepütz, W. Zhang, F. Wang, D.G. Eskin, and J. Mi 3D Characterisation of the Fe-rich intermetallic phases in Al-5%Cu alloys by synchrotron X-ray microtomography and skeletonisation, Scripta Materialia, Vol. 146 (2018), Pages 321-326, IF: 3.747 3. F. Wang, D. Eskin, J. Mi, C. Wang, B. Koe, A. King, C. Reinhard, T. Connolley A synchrotron X-radiography study of the fragmentation and refinement of primary intermetallic particles in an Al-35Cu alloy induced by ultrasonic melt processing (2017), Acta Materialia, Vol. 141, December 2017, Pages 142-153. IF: 5.301 4. F. Wang, D. Eskin, T. Connolley, C. Wang, B. Koe, A. King, C. Reinhard, J. Mi, In-situ synchrotron X-ray radiography observation of primary Al2Cu intermetallic growth on fragments of aluminium oxide film, Materials Letters, Vo. 213, 15 February 2018, Pages 303-305. 5. F. Wang, I. Tzanakis, D. Eskin, J. Mi, T. Connolley In-situ observation of ultrasonic cavitation-induced fragmentation of the primary crystals formed in Al alloys, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 39 (2017) 66-76. IF: 4.218 6. F. Wang, D. Eskin, A. Khvan, K. Starodub, T. Connolley, J. Mi On the occurrence of a eutectic type-like structure in solidification of Al-Zr alloys, Scripta Materialia (2017), Vol. 133, 75-78. IF: 3.747 7. F. Wang, D. Eskin, J. Mi, T. Connolley, M. Mounib, J. Lindsay A Refining Mechanism of Primary Al3Ti Intermetallic Particles by Ultrasonic Treatment in the Liquid State, Acta Materialia 116 (2016) 354-363, IF: 5.301. 8. F. Wang, D. Eskin, T. Connoley, J. Mi Effect of ultrasonic melt treatment on the refinement of primary Al3Ti intermetallic in an Al-0.4Ti alloy, Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol. 435 (2016), Pages 24-30, IF: 1.698. 9. T. Manuwong, W. Zhang, P.L.Kazinczi, A.J. Bodey, C. Rau, J. Mi (2015) Solidification of metal alloys under electromagnetic pulses and characterization of 3D microstructures using synchrotron X-ray tomography, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, Vol. 46 (2015), 2908 - 2915, IF: 1.730 10. D. Tan, T. L. Lee, J. C. Khong, T. Connolley, K. Fezzaa, J. Mi (2015) High speed synchrotron X-ray imaging studies of the ultrasound shockwave and enhanced flow during metal solidification processes, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, Vol. 46 (2015), 2851 - 2861, IF: 1.730 11. J. Mi, D. Tan, T. L. Lee (2014) In situ synchrotron X-ray study of ultrasound cavitation and its effect on solidification microstructures, Metallurgical And Materials Transactions B, 11 Dec 2014, Open Access, DOI: 10.1007/s11663-014-0256-z, IF: 1.323. 12. Y.J. Huang, J.C. Khong, T. Connolley, J. Mi (2014) The onset of plasticity of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass, International Journal of Plasticity, 60 (2014) 87-100, IF: 5.702. 13. *Y.J. Huang, J.C. Khong, T. Connolley, J. Mi (2014) Understanding the deformation mechanism of individual phases of a ZrTi-based bulk metallic glass matrix composite using in situ diffraction and imaging methods, Applied Physics Letters 104, 031912 (2014), IF: 3.794. 14. Y.J. Huang, J.C. Khong, T. Connolley, J. Mi (2013) In situ study of the evolution of atomic strain of bulk metallic glass and its effects on shear band formation, Scripta Materialia 69 (2013) 207-210. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Partnership with Doncasters Group Ltd |
| Organisation | Doncasters Group Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Understanding and quantifying the 3D structure and morphology of metal carbide in Ni superalloys and the fragmentation of metal carbides by ultrasound implosion and oscillation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Providing samples and industry inputs for the collaboration |
| Impact | (1) Won a Royal Society Industry Fellowship for Jiawei Mi in 2012 to work with Doncasters; (2) Won an EPSRC feasibility study project in 2014 ("Studies of nucleation controlled carbide morphology during the solidification of cast Ni superalloys "). |
| Start Year | 2012 |