Project Info
Materials Genome – Understanding Boundary Structure and Mobility
John Speer | jspeer@mines.edu and Mohsen Asle Zaeem | zaeem@mines.edu
As background, some recent experimental results obtained during processing of two high strength steels indicated that a thermal treatment at “low temperatures” in the range of 200-400C showed an adjustment in the amount of the two primary phases “ferrite” and “austenite.” Along with the difference in chemical composition between the steels, it was found that the orientation relationships between the crystals of the two primary phases were slightly different. In this project, computational techniques will be used to simulate boundary motion to begin to understand whether the changes in microstructure were influenced by crystallography and boundary structure, or by alloy composition.
Elucidate the interdisciplinary nature of the project
This project will involve collaboration between experimental results and sophistical modeling tools, and also across departments that participate within the interdisciplinary Materials Science program at Mines, specifically Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.
More Information
G. Thomas and J.G. Speer, “Interface Migration During Partitioning of Q&P Steel,” Materials Science and Technology, vol. 30, no. 9, 2014, pp. 998-1007.
Grand Engineering Challenge: Not applicable
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Interest and ability to use sophisticated computational modeling software, interest in steel microstructure and crystallography, and steel development, basic knowledge of crystals.
Time Commitment
20 hours/month
Skills/Techniques Gained
Molecular dynamics simulation, knowledge of crystal orientation relationships and some new high strength steel microstructures.
Mentoring Plan
Faculty and graduate students working in similar areas will interact with the student to provide guidance, perspective, and training.