A research team at Tianjin University has unveiled a groundbreaking oxide dispersion strengthened aluminum alloy, extending its service temperature range from 350 to 500 degrees Celsius. This innovation addresses the longstanding challenge of utilizing aluminum alloys in environments surpassing 400 degrees Celsius. The team’s findings, titled Heat-resistant super-dispersed oxide strengthened aluminium alloys, have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Materials.

Uniform dispersion of oxide nanoparticless in Aluminum matrix

Industries such as aerospace and transportation have a pronounced need for increased speed and reduced weight, placing greater emphasis on the heat resistance of lightweight metal materials. While aluminum alloys boast advantages like low density, high specific strength, and corrosion resistance, their limited heat resistance within the critical temperature range of 350 to 500 degrees Celsius poses a significant challenge, especially in aerospace applications. Hence, ongoing progress in the research and development of high-performance heat-resistant aluminum alloys, specifically tailored for temperatures spanning from 350 to 500 degrees Celsius, is of paramount importance.

Prof. He Chunnian with the research group at the lab

To tackle this obstacle, the research team led by Professor He Chunnian from Tianjin University’s School of Materials Science and Engineering introduced high-density, ultrafine-sized, uniformly dispersed oxide nanoparticles into the aluminum alloy, successfully enhancing its high-temperature resistance. Their innovative approach in material preparation addressed the persistent challenge of nanoparticle dispersion, transforming theoretical ideals into tangible outcomes. As a result, the newly engineered aluminum alloy demonstrated a remarkable tensile strength exceeding 200 megapascals at 500 degrees Celsius, surpassing traditional aluminum alloys by over sixfold, and achieving a significant enhancement in high-temperature stability spanning several orders of magnitude.

Following the publication of the research, Professor Alexis Deschamps, a renowned international expert in metallic materials from Université Grenoble Alpes in France, offered comprehensive commentary and profound analysis regarding the importance and potential ramifications of this study. He stated that this material "shows truly outstanding properties, ..., at 500℃ the MgO/Al alloy remains at a tensile strength of 200 MPa and has very impressive creep properties, which clearly override the state of the art”. He then pointed out that this development opens a field for application of aluminum alloys in high-temperature environments, where they could compete, at lower weight, with some titanium alloys.

Outstanding thermal stability of materials

As Prof. He put it, the novel process is straightforward, cost-effective, and easy for mass production. He noted that the team is partnering with prominent industry leaders and research institutions to drive forward the development of heat-resistant aluminum alloys tailored for aerospace engines and critical aerospace components and expected the material to be put to industrial use in the near future.

By Eva Yin