International Materials Institutes (IMI), DMR-0231320Advanced Neutron Scattering netWork for Education and Research (ANSWER)

P. K. Liaw, H. Choo, and E-W. Huang, The University of Tennessee, USAInternational Collaborator: M. Hofmann, Forschungsneutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II), Germany

Domestic Collaborators: L. Porcar, National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA W.-R. Chen, Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA

Study of Nano-Particle-Strengthened Nickel-Based Superalloys

Motivations The investigation of nano-particle-strengthening

mechanisms in superalloys is essential to improve the performance of advanced structural materials.

The study of deformation mechanisms of the nano-particles is important for materials life-time predictions, which is critical for the applications of the structural materials.

The synergistic international collaborations using the in-situ neutron-diffraction and small-angle neutron-scattering (SANS) techniques reveal the strengthening and deformation mechanisms in the superalloys.

Research Efforts The quantitative characterization at the multi-scale

microstructural levels is necessary to understand the strengthening mechanism and deformation behavior.

Small-angle neutron-scattering experiments quantify (1) spatial arrangements and (2) the size and shape of the nano-particles.

Impact The present study helps us understand the mechanical

behavior of the nano-particle-strengthened materials for new applications and next-generation-material design.

Superalloys are used as metallic lining at the Lower Colorado River Authority Power Plant (Lake Travis/Mansfield Dam in TexasLake Travis/Mansfield Dam in Texas)

0.01 0.1

0.1

1

10

100

Inte

nsi

ty, I

(Q)

Q (Angstrom-1)

Small-angle-neutron-scattering (SANS) results of a nickel-based superalloy

The SANS data shows that the radius of the nano-particles is about 6 nm, which is in good agreement with the transmission-electron-microscopy analysis

International Materials Institutes (IMI), DMR-0231320 Advanced Neutron Scattering netWork for Education and Research (ANSWER)

P. K. Liaw and H. Choo, The University of Tennessee, USA

On-line Open Courses: ANSWER organizes tutorials,

workshops, and short courses, which are available on the

Internet for the public access (http://answer.utk.edu).

ANSWER ANSWER Fellowship Fellowship ProgramsPrograms

For example, a series of ANSWER-organized tutorials benefit the research communities at conferences, such as the Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meetings in 2007 and 2008.

ANSWER provides opportunities to US students to learn from international experts in the area ranging from advanced structural materials to neutron scattering.

IMI-ANSWERIMI-ANSWER Education and Outreach: Education and Outreach: On-line Open Courses, Tutorial On-line Open Courses, Tutorial

Series, and PublicationsSeries, and Publications

Fellowship-Program Activities ANSWER provides fellowships

to students at Univ. of Florida, Univ. of Virginia, Univ. of Kentucky, Carnegie Mellon Univ., Johns Hopkins Univ., and Illinois Inst. of Tech. to carry out neutron-scattering research in Australia, United Kingdom, and Germany.

The availability and

new capabilities of

the Spallation

Neutron Source

(SNS) at Oak Ridge,

Tennessee, have

been communicated

to high-school,

female, and minority

students.

IMI-ANSWERIMI-ANSWER Outreach Programs at Outreach Programs at

TennesseeTennessee

The attendees of Educational Symposium in front of the Spallation Neutron Source main building, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN.

IMI High-School and Minority Students Programs

ANSWER graduate students and high-school students

Michael MillerPeter LiawEditors

Michael MillerPeter LiawEditors