Advanced materials

Focusing on microscale strain and phase transformation for alloys that contain metastable crystallography structure.

Examples include Fe-Mn, Fe-Cr-Ni, Ti-Ta and high-entropy alloys.

Similar to shape memory effect, external straining on this type of alloys can induce phase transformation that contributes to work hardening, grain refinement, load partitioning and strain relaxation, all of which could improve alloys strength and ductility at the same time.

Combining synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering and plasticity modelling, the synergy effect among various deformation mechanisms are investigated at The University of Manchester and Diamond Light Source.