The Christian Doppler Laboratory for Deformation-Precipitation Interactions in Aluminum Alloys (CDL-DEPICT-Al) is dedicated to the development of sustainable, high-performance aluminum alloys with increasing contents of recycled input material. The laboratory cooperates with AMAG Rolling GmbH and is funded by the Christian Doppler Research Association.
The use of secondary aluminum can reduce energy consumption by up to 95%, but it also poses unique challenges due to unavoidable impurities. The CD Laboratory DEPICT-Al systematically investigates the influence of foreign elements and the interactions between microstructure and deformation. Understanding this enables the optimization of the formability and corrosion resistance of innovative alloys. State-of-the-art characterization methods are used and further developed to advance the understanding of these interactions.
The range of materials investigated includes sheet and plate materials made from naturally hard and age-hardenable alloys, as well as innovative crossover alloys and anode materials for Al batteries. National and international collaborations with universities expand the research spectrum and support the development of solutions for the challenges facing the aluminum industry.
This research area aims to improve the formability of novel aluminum alloys with a high secondary aluminum content.Through a deep understanding of the interactions between microstructural elements such as precipitates and deformation, ductility and workability are systematically optimized.The focus is on innovative alloys outside of standardized compositions, which are created through the increased use of scrap or in the field of so-called crossover alloys, i.e., the deliberate combination of alloying elements from different alloy classes. A systematic and methodical investigation of microstructural elements is essential for comprehending and regulating their function in determining formability and strength.
The focus is on the further development of modern characterization techniques, such as scanning precession electron diffraction (SPED) and high-resolution electron microscopy. These methods enable precise analysis of the microstructure and precipitation processes in aluminum alloys on the nanometer scale. By analyzing phase and stress fields at the microstructure level, we want to investigate the complex relationships between deformation, precipitation, and their effects on material behavior.
This research domain focuses on innovative adaptations of thermomechanical processes for developing new types of microstructures, with the aim of producing fine to ultrafine-grained materials through a synergetic interplay of deformation, precipitation, and recrystallization.These microstructures are intended to improve the mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of age-hardenable aluminum alloys, particularly for the aerospace industry.
A key area of focus is the investigation of corrosion mechanisms in fine-grained structures, where the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Factors such as grain boundaries, segregations, and precipitations are systematically analyzed to understand and control their collective effect. In addition, a new type of test infrastructure will enable time-resolved monitoring of corrosion mechanisms such as intercrystalline corrosion or stress corrosion cracking. These findings can be directly back-correlated with process adjustments and used to optimize the microstructures.
Aluminum batteries are regarded as a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries due to their high capacity, environmental compatibility, and the ample availability of aluminum.
Despite the advancements in aluminum battery technology, challenges persist, particularly in the area of aluminum anodes. Issues such as insulating oxide layers, dendrite formation, volume expansion, and self-corrosion remain unresolved.However, research focused on aluminum anodes has been limited, despite their crucial role in advancing this technology.
Our current research aims to investigate how the addition of alloying elements or changes in the microstructure influence the performance and lifetime of aluminum anodes. A deeper understanding of the interactions between alloy composition and microstructural properties will not only improve battery performance, but also contribute to the development of more sustainable energy storage systems by reducing the dependence on high-purity anode materials.
In this research area, we will use high-energy X-ray diffraction (HE-XRD) at synchrotron radiation sources to investigate the response of aluminum alloys to mechanical loading and phase transformations. In-situ tensile and compression tests provide detailed insights into the distribution of stresses and the interaction between the aluminum matrix and intermetallic phases.
Initial experiments show how deformation mechanisms affect the microstructure and properties of recycled aluminum alloys. Complementary tests, such as in-situ heating and deformation processes, provide additional insights into precipitation evolution under the influence of temperature, thereby supporting research in other areas.