Award Abstract #0210173
NIRT: Deformation Mechanisms and Manufacturing of Nanostructured Materials Processed by Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD)

NSF Org:	CMMI Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation
Initial Amendment Date:	June 20, 2002
Latest Amendment Date:	April 24, 2007
Award Number:	0210173
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Ken Chong CMMI Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation ENG Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:	July 1, 2002
Expires:	June 30, 2008 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$1000000
Investigator(s):	Robert Asaro rasaro@ucsd.edu (Principal Investigator) Marc Andre Meyers (Co-Principal Investigator) David Benson (Co-Principal Investigator) Petr Krysl (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of California-San Diego Office of Contract & Grant Admin La Jolla, CA 92093 858/534-4896
NSF Program(s):	METAL & METALLIC NANOSTRUCTURE, NANOSCALE: INTRDISCPL RESRCH T, MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Field Application(s):	0106000 Materials Research
Program Reference Code(s):	MANU, 9146, 1674
Program Element Code(s):	1771, 1674, 1630

ABSTRACT

This proposal aims to gain fundamental understanding of the

deformation mechanisms that operate in nanostructured metals and

alloys, in particular in those produced by severe plastic deformation

(SPD) methods. Based on this knowledge it further aims to develop full

capability to manufacture these materials in high quality bulk forms.

The extremely attractive (and rare) combination of mechanical

properties (high strength, ductility, fatigue resistance) and

manufacturability of these materials leads to a new class of high

performance alloys for structural uses. It is understood that this

combination of properties is due to the formation of nano-scale grain

sizes in these materials, but the mechanisms responsible for the high

strength combined with high ductility are not well understood. This

presents a fundamental obstacle to the optimization of these

materials, or to predictions of the performance of these materials in

applications.

An integrated approach with strong emphasis on manufacturing is

proposed. On the theoretical side, deformation mechanisms will be

simulated with crystal-plasticity aggregate models and with detailed

models of the grains and grain boundaries. The experimental program

covers a wide a range of strain rates and temperatures, texture

development, and in situ transmission electron microscopy and atomic

force microscopy to directly verify deformation mechanisms. The

experimental results will provide validation to the theoretical

modeling and manufacturing process simulations.

Finally, simulations of the manufacturing processes will enable

process parameter optimization. A complete, miniature, yet fully

scalable, manufacturing facility will be designed and implemented.

The significant impacts of the proposed research are made possible by

the acquired fundamental understanding of the deformation mechanisms,

and include advances in manufacturing techniques to produce these

highly desirable materials in bulk. The miniature manufacturing

facility will become a source of significant quantities of

nano-structured alloys. Finally, the proposal will provide students at

the UCSD and at local K-12 schools with interdisciplinary education in

a cutting-edge area of research.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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