Project Managers:
Dipl.-Ing. Florian Schmid
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Stefan Pogatscher
Lightweight construction is the dominant theme in the automotive and aerospace industries, especially in the development of new models. Due to the advantageous properties of aluminum alloys, such as a low density combined with high strength, there is enormous potential to realize significant weight savings. Limiting an even more extensive use of aluminum in these areas are insufficient strength or formability.
These limitations depict the motivation of the current PhD thesis. On the one hand, a new class of Zr-modified Al-Mg-Si alloys is to be designed, which surpasses existing types in terms of achievable strength. On the other hand, the testing of an ideal heat treatment on car body sheers, for best formability during deep drawing and maximum strength in use, takes place. Thermodynamics simulations (FactSage, MatCalc) as well as state-of-the-art imaging equipment (REM, TEM, atom probe) are driving the development of these novel materials.
