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Nb-Si alloys have gained much attention over the last decade as the next generation alloys for high-temperature aero-engine applications due to their low density and improved mechanical properties. However, the microstructures of these alloys are quite complex and vary significantly with the addition of elements such as Ti and Hf. Hence, an improved understanding of the phase stability and the microstructural evolution of these alloys is essential for alloy design for advanced high-temperature applications. In the present paper, we describe the microstructural evolution modeling results of the dendritic and eutectic solidification of the binary Nb-16 at.% Si alloy, obtained using a Phase-Field simulations performed with MICRESS. The effect of parameters; such as heat extraction rate, the ratio of the diffusivity of the solute in liquid to solid, and the interfacial energy of liquid and solid interface, on the microstructural evolution during dendritic solidification is discussed in detail.

FEM analysis was used to study the interactions between die friction, backpressure and strain rate sensitivity during equal channel angular pressing. One of the key findings is that strain rate sensitivity causes strain redistribution, resulting in higher equivalent strains and a substantial component of compression in the workpiece. This compression gives rise to effects such as lift-off of the leading end of the workpiece from the die bottom and improved die fill. Friction has different effects at room and elevated temperatures. While a moderate amount is beneficial at room temperature, friction has a detrimental interaction with strain rate sensitivity at high temperature. Backpressure, though largely beneficial, is shown to have negative effects when combined with friction and a high strain rate sensitivity.

The model of Arzt–Rosler and Wilkinson (ARW) for detachment controlled creep is reanalyzed here. A modified version of this model is presented wherein the expression for activation energy is replaced by one that represents the energy for a single activated step. The modified equation is derived from the well-known analysis of an activation barrier modified by an applied stress. Predictions of strain rate as a function of stress from the new analysis are similar to those of the ARW model.

Investigations on nanostructured metallic systems have shown that exceptional property enhancements are potentially achievable through structural refinement to the nano-scale. While dramatic property improvements have been reported on these materials in the past, significant technical challenges exist in processing, as well as in retention of microstructural stability and useful properties at elevated temperatures. This presentation will summarize the key challenges in developing nanostructured metallic systems, and highlight our progress and selected successes in the understanding of structure-property relationships in bulk nanostructures as well as nanostructured multilayered systems. Work in nanoparticle dispersion-strengthened metallic systems will also be highlighted in this presentation.