Category: aluminium

One-grain-at-a-time: how in situ EBSD rewrote sink-strength theory for space aluminium

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ Leave a comment

Ultrafine-grained (UFG) aluminium alloys are strong candidates for space structures: their dense grain-boundary network acts as sinks that absorb radiation-induced defects (more in our perspective review https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00139). But that advantage only survives if the microstructure does — and in Low-Earth Orbit, sunlit components reach ~200 °C, right where severely deformed aluminium begins to recrystallise. The … Continue reading One-grain-at-a-time: how in situ EBSD rewrote sink-strength theory for space aluminium

Folding, thinner, lighter, and stronger wings signals a quiet retreat for aluminium in aerospace

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ Leave a comment

Airbus has just announced the next phase of its Wing of Tomorrow programme: a three-year flight-test campaign, unveiled at Farnborough, that will bolt full-scale wing extensions onto an A321neo to trial the longer, higher-aspect-ratio wings destined for the successor to its best-selling single-aisle family. The extensions are several metres long and stand in for a … Continue reading Folding, thinner, lighter, and stronger wings signals a quiet retreat for aluminium in aerospace

A new way to “see” inside aluminium alloys

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ Leave a comment

What if a single microscope image could simultaneously show nanoclusters, dislocations, grain boundaries, and corrosion pores – all in under a minute? We have found a way to do exactly that and we described recently in a paper published it in Small Methods! The method, called differential phase contrast (DPC), is not new to electron … Continue reading A new way to “see” inside aluminium alloys

The nanoscale secrets of melting in eutectic systems

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Eutectic systems have shaped mankind for millennia — bronze, solder, casting alloys — and yet, for all their industrial pedigree, the nanoscale mechanics of how they actually melt has remained stubbornly out of reach. Experimental resolution simply could not keep up with the physics. A new preprint from our group closes that gap, using in … Continue reading The nanoscale secrets of melting in eutectic systems

New Preprint: Unlocking Nanoscale Detail in Aluminium Alloys with DPC Segmentation

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We are pleased to share our latest preprint, now available on arXiv: Unlocking nanoscale microstructural detail in aluminium alloys through differential phase contrast segmentation in STEM (arXiv:2603.11643). In this work, we show how differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy can be turned into a powerful, quantitative tool for characterising the microstructures … Continue reading New Preprint: Unlocking Nanoscale Detail in Aluminium Alloys with DPC Segmentation

Dr. Aster’s Breakthrough in Aluminium Alloy Design with Cluster-Hardnening

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In his recent work, Dr. Philip Aster delivers a remarkable contribution to the understanding of microstructural evolution in Al-Mg-Zn-Cu crossover alloys, with a particular focus on the role of copper in long-term aging (LTA) conditions. Through advanced atom probe tomography (APT), Dr. Aster demonstrates how Cu additions not only promote finer clustering and T-phase precursors … Continue reading Dr. Aster’s Breakthrough in Aluminium Alloy Design with Cluster-Hardnening

The Great Mentor of World’s Non-Ferrous Metallurgy

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ 1 Comment

It is with great pride and heartfelt congratulations that we celebrate the recent recognition of Professor Peter Uggowitzer, who was awarded the Great Badge of Honour of the State of Styria on 12 May 2025 in a formal ceremony at the Old University in Graz. The honour was presented by Governor Mario Kunasek and Deputy … Continue reading The Great Mentor of World’s Non-Ferrous Metallurgy

Unlocking processability of recycled crossover aluminium alloys

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Aluminum crossover alloys are an emerging class of materials designed to deliver a broad and balanced combination of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and formability. By blending the characteristics of traditional alloy families - 5xxx and 7xxx series alloys - they open new possibilities for high-performance applications in transportation, energy, and structural components. This versatility also … Continue reading Unlocking processability of recycled crossover aluminium alloys

AMAG Crossalloy® – The new generation of recycled aluminium

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A very nice article from the AMAG's AluReport on the challenges of recycling aluminium alloys and the AMAG's approach with the new aluminium crossover alloys! Aluminum is a cornerstone of modern engineering, offering unmatched lightweight properties, high recyclability, and versatility across industries. In transportation and aerospace, it is a key enabler of energy efficiency and … Continue reading AMAG Crossalloy® – The new generation of recycled aluminium

Aluminium + Diamond-Like Carbon for Next-Gen Hydrogen Fuel Cells

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Our latest study just dropped as a preprint on the SSRN server: Is Nitrogen Doping of Diamond-Like Carbon Films a Viable Strategy for Bipolar Plates in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells? 💡 In this work, we challenge the idea that nitrogen doping improves Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings. Using a combination of electrochemical testing, electron microscopy, … Continue reading Aluminium + Diamond-Like Carbon for Next-Gen Hydrogen Fuel Cells