Severe plastic deformation of metals and alloys

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) processes can be used to create fine-grained microstructure (sub-micrometer particle size) in bulk form. This special grain structure provides high strength compared to traditional structural materials, but at the same time it has industrial and other application possibility due to their other advantageous properties. Parts of complex shapes can be made from SPD materals without joining (e.g. welding). The resulting ultrafine-grained (UFG) materials exhibit superplastic deformation characteristic at higher rates and at lower temperatures comparing with tradicitional materials, so that SPD materials can accelerate production and reduce energy requirements. Therefore, the development of these superductile, high-strength alloys is an important research area in materials science

Our research group focuses on the quantitative characterization of line-like defects (dislocations) in UFG materials created by severe plastic deformation. We also carry on structural analysis of the resulting grain boundaries at atomic level and the deformation and diffusion mechanisms taking place in SPD alloys. In our experimental studies, alloys  and various high-purity model alloys (usually Al alloys) are examined.