Novel and Inexpensive Light-Weight Mg Alloy with High Strength

NU 2013-128

Inventors

Chris Wolverton*

James E. Saal

Short Description

Novel low-cost Mg alloys with long-period stacking ordered structure for high mechanical strength to improve the efficiency of transport vehicles

Abstract

Light-weight Mg-based alloys are the critical technology to improve the efficiency of transportation vehicles. However, the poor mechanical strength and ductility of Mg have long been impediments to its industrial use. The long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) structures formed in the Mg-based alloys has been proved to significantly enhance the mechanical strength of the alloys, whereas all existing LPSO Mg alloys require expensive rare earth elements. To overcome this issue, Northwestern researchers have recently developed several new light-weight LPSO Mg alloys that are both mechanically strong and economically viable. Advanced computational methods are utilized for predicting and optimizing the alloy performance to facilitate the material development. This invention not only enables the use of LPSO Mg alloy in industrial applications but also provides a promising approach to develop innovative high-performance alloys.

Applications

• High-strength Mg alloys for transportation vehicle structure
• Development of innovative high-performance alloys

Advantages

• Light-weight and High-strength alloy
• Free of rare earth elements
• Economically viable for industrial applications
  

Publication

J. E. Saal and C. Wolverton, 'Thermodynamic stability of Mg-based ternary long-period stacking ordered structures', Acta Materialia, 2014

IP Status

US Utility patent has been filed.