‘Material Design by Characterisation’ is the philosophy of our research group and guides our research direction in developing new alloys and optimising mechanical and physical properties of the existing advanced materials used in critical applications. The characterisation detail, methodology and accuracy are vital in understanding the microstructural and microtextural evolutions during alloy processing and manufacturing routes that directly influence materials integrity.
The main interest of our material characterisation work is to explore and understand the fundamental aspects of materials behaviour and integrity; allowing for a holistic approach towards designing materials across different length scales for applications ranging from nanostructures to large-scale engineering structures. We also believe that the development of new nano/micro- analytical techniques and the enhancement of conventional characterisation tools will be a focal point in the race for materials design.
MC-II carbides decomposition associated η phase growth along carbide within Extra Large (EL)-γ’ for a sample aged 5000 h, showing one intact carbide and two decomposed small carbides in the middle of EL-γ’. HAADF-STEM image of similar structure (decomposed MC carbides associated elongated η in the middle of EL-γ’) from a sample of 10000 h ageing is also shown here. BF-TEM image of the same area and EDS mapping are shown.
High strain distribution surrounding EL-γ’ reflected by high dislocation density. Left: GND (geometrically necessary dislocation) mapping in an EL-γ’ in which multiple η phases precipitated using TEM-based orientation mapping using step size of 6 nm. The GND map is combined after separated calculation for γ’/γ and η using FCC and HCP structure, respectively. The unit is log µm-2. Right: An example of dislocations generation surrounding an EL-γ’ with a MC carbide in the middle, characterised by BF-TEM image.
We at MD&C research group are investigating physical and mechanical metallurgy, structure-property relationship, materials performance and integrity at high temperatures and aggressive environments for aerospace materials (including nickel base superalloys, titanium alloys and high strength steel) as well as critical alloys used in automotive and energy sectors. We particularly focus on materials design and structure-property relationship during advanced manufacturing, i.e., additive manufacturing, and thermomechanical processing.
Our research activities align directly with aerospace, automotive and energy industrial demands for the optimisation of mechanical properties of the final material products and develop new materials that can tolerate high temperature and aggressive environments. We believe that understanding and predicting microstructure and texture evolution during material manufacturing, heat treatment, deformation (hot, cold, severe), casting, processing (mechanical, thermomechanical) and joining are essential for materials property optimisation, designing new alloys as well as the development of the processing techniques.
We have access to microstructure characterisation facilities, additive manufacturing and alloys prototyping, processing and mechanical testing laboratories at the School of Mechanical and Design Engineering at the University of Portsmouth. The school has wide range of micro-analytical techniques (Inc. SEM, EDS, XRD, EBSD, TKD, nano/micro X-ray tomography). We also utilise state-of-the-art techniques (available at synchrotron and neutron facilities) to conduct in-situ experiments.
Materials Characterisations and Mechanical testing laboratories accessible at:
X-Ray Tomography, In-situ Mechanical testing and Electron Microscopy accessible at : Zeiss Global Centre
ContactMaterials Design and Characterisation (MD&C) Research Group School of Mechanical and Design EngineeringUniversity of Portsmouth Anglesea building Anglesea Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3DJHampshire, United KingdomEmail: soran.birosca@port.ac.uk