The SAS proposals for participation in FP6 projects
are listed in blocks according to the FP6 priority theme structure



FP6 priority
1.1.4   Aeronautics and Space
1.4.1
Title of the proposal

Ultra-light MgLi matrix composites

Institute
Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Materials & Machine Mechanics
Racianska 75, 831 02 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
www.umms.sav.sk
Contact
Name:
Stanislav KUDELA, Ing. RNDr. Ph.D.
Phone:
+421 2 49268229
E-mail:
ummskuds@savba.sk


Research subject for a potential FP6 project

Magnesium-lithium alloys as the lightest known metallic structural materials offer promising weight reducing potential for air- and spacecraft applications to economize the fuel consumption and minimize the generation of greenhouse gases. Nevertheless, in particular their low stiffness and poor creep resistance are inferior as to the competition with other lightweight alloys.

The composite approach seems to be the only proper way how to overcome this problem, offering both thermal expansion reduction and damping capability increase as additional profits. MgLi based composites are still under development, wherein lithium reactivity against cost-effective and light- weight reinforcements (e.g. alumna, carbon) is taken as the crucial problems.

MgLi matrix composites have been investigated at IMMM SAS for several years focusing on the interfacial chemistry and mechanical behaviour. Ways how to suppress the fibre degradation and promote the formation of interfacial bonds were found, thus attaining considerable reinforcing efficiency, as well as fairly high strength-to-weight ratio of related composites. Consequently, IMMM SAS is able to fabricate MgLi based composites (up to 12 %wt Li) reinforced with short alumna fibres (Saffil) and continuous carbon fibres (T300) by pressure infiltration route (autoclave technique). Current research at IMMM SAS is focused on short alumna fibre (Saffil) reinforced with Mg4LiAl and Mg4LiCa matrix composites where except fibrous reinforcement precipitation hardening and improved corrosion resistance are expected.


Recent international cooperation of the research team

Institute for Solid State Analysis IFW Dresden, Germany; Institute of Metallurgy & Materials
Science PAN, Krakow, Poland; Charles University, Dept. Metal Physics, Prague, Czech Republic;
Eotvos Lorand University, Dept. General Physics, Budapest, Hungary;


Proposerīs relevant publications related to the research subject

(1)S. Kudela, V. Gergely, A. Schweighofer, S. Baunack, S. Oswald, K. Wetzig, J.Mat.Sci. 29 (1994) 5071;
(2) S. Kudela, V. Gergely, E. Jansch, A. Hofmann, S. Baunack, S.Oswald, K. Wetzig, J.Mat. Sci. 29 (1994) 5576;
(3) S. Baunack, S. Kudela, A. John, V. Liebich, Fresenius J. Anal. Chem. 349 (1996) 633;
(4) S. Kudela, V. Gergely, L. Smrcok, S. Oswald, S. Baunack, K. Wetzig, J.Mat. Sci. 31 (1996) 1595,
(5) A. John, S. Baunack, S. Kudela, K. Wetzig, Fresenius J. Anal. Chem. 357(1997) 886;
(6) S. Kudela, R. Rennekamp, S. Baunack, V. Gergely, S. Oswald, K. Wetzig, Mikrochim. Acta 127 (1977) 243;
(7) S. Kudela, S. Oswald, S. Kudela Jr., S. Baunack, K. Wetzig, Mikrochim. Acta 133 (2000) 29;
(8) S. Kudela, S. Oswald, S. Kudela Jr., S. Baunack, K. Wetzig, Appl. Surf. Sci. 179 (2001) 129