Prediction of Engineering Properties of Thermomechanically Treated Aluminium Alloys. Prof. Hamid Assadi Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Tech

Constellium Extrusions is leading the way for automotive light-weighting, through development of high-performance aluminium alloys with increased strength, toughness, and thermal conductivity. The company is currently using a novel thermomechanical approach to enhance precipitation hardening - and hence, the strength of certain aluminium alloys - beyond what can be achieved through standard processes such as the well-known T6 heat treatment. Application of the new process is being investigated as part of a large EPSRC research programme (STEP Aluminium) with BCAST, where various aspects of the development of high-performance aluminium alloys from alloy design and DC casting to extrusion and thermomechanical treatment - are being studied at a fundamental level. In alignment with the STEP programme, the present project will focus on the quantification of mechanical properties of the treated aluminium alloys for engineering applications.