A5030368201- Aluminum Alloy Microstructure Properties
- Electron and X-Ray Spectroscopy Techniques
- Microstructure and mechanical properties
- Hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion behaviors in metals
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Non-Destructive Testing Techniques
- Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Steels
- Corrosion Behavior and Inhibition
- Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials
- Fatigue and fracture mechanics
- Aluminum Alloys Composites Properties
- Metal Forming Simulation Techniques
- Graphene research and applications
- High Temperature Alloys and Creep
- Metallurgy and Material Forming
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Advanced Surface Polishing Techniques
- Multiferroics and related materials
- Integrated Circuits and Semiconductor Failure Analysis
- Advanced Materials Characterization Techniques
- Advancements in Battery Materials
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Metal Alloys Wear and Properties
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Acoustic Wave Resonator Technologies
University of Manchester
2015-2024
Henry Royce Institute
2019-2024
The Faraday Institution
2023
Case Western Reserve University
2023
Brunel University of London
2023
Innoval Technology (United Kingdom)
2023
Royal United Hospital
2022
Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust
2022
National Physical Laboratory
2010-2013
University of Leeds
2005-2008
PeakForceTM quantitative nanomechanical mapping (QNMTM) is a new atomic force microscopy technique for measuring Young's modulus of materials with high spatial resolution and surface sensitivity by probing at the nanoscale. In this work, results from PeakForce™ QNM™ using three different probes are presented number polymers range moduli that were measured independently instrumented (nano) indentation testing (IIT). The diamond silicon AFM consistent in reasonable agreement IIT values...
Ga+ Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscopes (FIB-SEM) have revolutionised the level of microstructural information that can be recovered in 3D by block face serial section tomography (SST), as well enabling site-specific removal smaller regions for subsequent transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination. However, FIB material rates limit volumes and depths probed to dimensions tens microns range. Emerging Xe+ Plasma Microscope (PFIB-SEM) systems promise faster rates. Here we...
Increasingly researchers are looking to bring together perspectives across multiple scales, or combine insights from different techniques, for the same region of interest. To this end, correlative microscopy has already yielded substantial new in two dimensions (2D). Here we develop tomography where task is somewhat more challenging because volume interest typically hidden beneath sample surface. We have threaded x-ray computed tomography, serial section FIB-SEM electron backscatter...
The surface oxidation of aluminum is still poorly understood despite its vital role as an insulator in electronics, aluminum-air batteries, and protecting the metal against corrosion. Here we use atomic resolution imaging environmental transmission electron microscope (TEM) to investigate mechanism oxide formation. Harnessing beam sputtering prepare a pristine, oxide-free TEM. This allows us study, function crystallographic orientation oxygen gas pressure, full growth regime from first...
The influence of crystal orientation on the corrosion behaviour twin roll cast (TRC) AZ31 Mg alloy sheet has been investigated using correlative microscopy and immersion testing in 3.5% NaCl. Corrosion initiates as a consequence microgalvanic coupling between cathodic intermetallic phases, including sub-micron sized, rosette-shaped Al8Mn5 particles, β-Mg17(Al,Zn)12 phase matrix. Subsequent development lateral filiform-like fronts are observed running along dendrite arms whilst being...
Here we explore the range of serial sectioning techniques that have evolved over past decade, providing a comprehensive toolkit for capturing rich 3D microstructures, chemistries and crystallographic information, with sub-micron resolution at volumes extend out to mm3 or even cm3. In each case consider challenges associated their application, they can analyze, damage surface impart, suitability different materials. certain cases these warrant hybrid methods, motivating workflows leverage...
During service of gas turbine engines, high cycle fatigue titanium is a leading cause component failure highlighting the need for better understanding crack initiation mechanism to predict sites. In this study, relationship between plastic slip activity and was investigated in near-α alloy using cyclic four-point bending at up 90% proof stress. The finding from surface characterization show that plasticity such low stress levels dominated by basal two types cracking were seen parallel...
The corrosion behaviour of a recently developed Al-Li-Cu-Mg alloy thick plate was investigated using correlative immersion testing in 3.5% NaCl solution with analytical electron and ion microscopy. Intergranular observed along grain boundaries the particle-matrix interface Al7Cu2(Fe, Mn) Al20Cu2Mn3 phases from 7 min immersion. Li-containing are electrochemically more active susceptible to de-alloying than phases. T1 (Al2CuLi) precipitates attacked via selective dissolution Li Al. In contrast...
Abstract Demand for low carbon energy storage has highlighted the importance of imaging techniques characterization electrode microstructures to determine key parameters associated with battery manufacture, operation, degradation, and failure both next generation lithium other novel systems. Here, recent progress literature highlights from magnetic resonance, neutron, X‐ray, focused ion beam, scanning transmission electron microscopy are summarized. Two major trends identified: First, use...
Local electrical characterization of epitaxial graphene grown on 4H-SiC(0001) using electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) in ambient conditions and at elevated temperatures is presented. EFM provides a straightforward identification with different numbers layers the substrate where topographical determination hindered by adsorbates. Novel spectroscopy has been developed measuring phase as function DC bias, establishing rigorous way to distinguish domains facilitating optimization imaging.
Combining long-range magnetic order with polarity in the same structure is a prerequisite for design of (magnetoelectric) multiferroic materials. There are now several demonstrated strategies to achieve this goal, but retaining above room temperature remains difficult target. Iron oxides +3 oxidation state have high ordering temperatures due size coupled moments. Here we prepare and characterize ScFeO(3) (SFO), which under pressure strain-stabilized thin films adopts polar variant corundum...
We present local electrical characterization of epitaxial graphene grown on both Si- and C-faces 4H-SiC using Electrostatic Force Microscopy Kelvin Probe in ambient conditions at elevated temperatures. These techniques provide a straightforward identification domains with various thicknesses the substrate where topographical determination is hindered by adsorbates SiC terraces. also use Spectroscopy which allows quantitative surface potential measurements high spatial resolution. Using these...
We demonstrate the capability of a novel Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) dictionary indexing (DI) approach by means orientation mapping highly deformed graded microstructure in shot peened Aluminium 7075-T651 alloy. A low microscope accelerating voltage was used to extract, for first time from bulk sample, statistically significant information region close crater, showing both recrystallized nano-grains and heavily grains. show that robust nature DI method allows faster acquisition...
The hydrogen environmentally-assisted cracking (HEAC) behaviour of new generation (new-gen) Al-Zn-Mg-Cu thick-plate alloys (AA7449, AA7085, and AA7037), under accelerated humid warm-air exposure, has been compared to the aerospace industry benchmark alloy AA7050 in over-aged T7x type tempers. Constant load time-to-failure DCB crack growth tests have performed at a relative humidity 85 %, 70 °C. It found that constant failure time can be reduced by least an order magnitude some cases was...
Large area, time resolved, in-situ optical scanning of constant displacement (four-point bend) tests has been used to monitor the environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) initiation and crack growth behaviour AA7085 AA7449 T7651 thick plate materials, exposed warm-humid air (50 % RH & 70 °C). Subsequent fractography revealed dominant sites originating at surface connected gas pore clusters, in combination with reactive Mg-containing constituent intermetallic compounds co-located on grain...
The mechanical properties and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance of 7xxx series aluminium alloys are significantly affected by the composition distribution precipitates formed during heat treatment. In particular, their quench sensitivity is related to formation η-phase that nucleate heterogeneously on grain boundaries at lower cooling rates after solution treatment, which has been a key factor restricting gauge hot rolled plates in aerospace industry. To better understand effects...
Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is of increasing interest for the formation ceramic coatings on metals applications that require diverse coating properties, such as wear and corrosion resistance, low thermal conductivity, biocompatibility. Porosity in can have an important impact performance. However, quantification porosity be difficult due to wide range pore sizes complexity morphology. In this work, a PEO formed titanium examined using high resolution X-ray computed tomography (X-ray...
The use of novel multi-scale correlative methods, which involve the coordinated characterisation matter across a range length scales, are becoming increasing value to materials scientists. Here, we describe for first time how approach can be used investigate nature ductile fracture in metals. Specimens nuclear pressure vessel steel, SA508 Grade 3, examined following using medium and high-resolution 3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) analyses, site-specific analysis dual beam plasma focused...
New generation (new-gen) 7xxx series alloys have recently been shown to higher susceptibility environmental assisted cracking (EAC) in humid air, compared AA7050, T7651 tempers. Hydrogen (H)-EAC fracture features of brittle intergranular (IG) and transgranular (TG) modes were observed with humidity levels as low 20%. Initiation was favoured at sites intermetallic particle clusters gas pores. The performance AA7050 attributed the difficulty initiation this alloy, where grain structure,...
By coupling an improved speckle patterning method enabling high resolution digital image correlation (HRDIC) at nanoscale strain (146 nm) with a scanning electron microscope allowing autonomous experimental control and acquisition during in situ tensile straining, we have mapped the plastic deformation AZ31 Mg alloy grain scale to significant strains for first time. Complemented by backscattered diffraction reveal underlying orientations this has delineated activation of intragranular...