This book covers the most important aspects of lightweight metal alloys including history, physical metallurgy, overview of production technologies, alloy development, compositing, post-processing (heat treatment, surface engineering, bulk-deformation), and joining methodologies. It discusses the microstructural evolution, fractography, morphology of corroded and worn surface to enable easy understanding of the mechanism. The topics covered in this book include lightweight metallic materials, instrumental characterization of light weight metal alloys and composites, severe plastic deformation processing of aluminum alloys, solid-state welding of aluminum alloys, aluminum metal matrix composite for automotive and aircraft applications, and heat treatment of aluminum metal matrix composites. The book is highly useful for students, researchers, academicians, scientists, and engineers working on lightweight materials.

An expert exposition of the structural and mechanical properties of light alloys and composites, bridging the gap between scientists and industrial engineers in its consideration of advanced light materials, their structure, properties, technology and application. Includes basic problems of alloy constitution and phase transformations. The aluminium alloys are the main topic of the book, consideration being given to their properties, casting technology, thermomechanical treatment and structure. Attention is also given to the magnesium alloys, particularly those having rare earth metal constituents. Both commercial titanium alloys and intermetallic compounds are discussed, as are metallic composites. The latest engineering techniques are discussed in both theoretical and practical terms.

This book addresses methods used in the synthesis of light alloys and composites for industrial applications. It begins with a broad introduction to virtually all aspects of the technology of light alloys and composite materials for aircraft and aerospace applications. The basic theory of fiber and particle reinforcements; light metallic material characteristics and composite systems; components forms, and manufacturing techniques and processes are discussed. The book then progresses to describe the production of alloys and composites by unconventional techniques, such as powder metallurgy, sandwich technique, severe plastic deformation, additive manufacturing, and thermal spray, making it appropriate for researchers in both academia and industry. It will be of special interest to aerospace engineers. Provides a broad introduction to the technology used in manufacturing light alloys and composite materials; Describes the current technologies employed in synthesizing light alloys made from advanced materials; Focuses on unconventional techniques used to produce light alloys and composites in aerospace applications.

Lightweight metals and alloys have represented for many years the most suitable solution for many high-tech applications, including sport equipment and automotive components where alternate movements required low inertia. Aerospace has probably been the sector where most of the potential of aluminum and titanium resides. The term light alloy is focused on materials based on aluminum, titanium, and magnesium systems, including the intermetallic-reinforced matrices. Nevertheless, the processing of light alloys has always been faced with low-formability and narrow-thermal processing windows with respect to the steel family. Thanks to researchers' creativity, new processes have been invented based on complex forming steps, i.e., gas-superplastic diffusion bonding, or hot isostatic postprocessing to overcome this drawback and obtain net-shape or near-net shape components. What is the new frontier of processing? What are the innovative thermal treatments to improve the toughness and fatigue limits? Further, what about the properties that are possible to reach with innovative additive forming processes, based on powder metallurgy? These are only a few of the pending questions in the field. This Special Issue is intended to provide a wide set of articles on various aspects of light alloy processing innovation and characterization. The idea is to collect a wide range of articles focused on light alloy characterization, including innovative metallurgy solution correlated with mechanical property effects. Innovation on production methods, including those based on powder metallurgy and performance in final products, is desired.

This book includes papers on recent research carried out in the field of metal-matrix composites (MMCs). Processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties of MMCs and unreinforced matrix alloys will be covered with a focus on aluminum, titanium, nickel, and copper MMCs. Those involved in the research of MMCs and unreinforced alloys, particularly in aerospace, space, and automotive materials research, will find this volume indispensible.

Research into the manufacture of lightweight automobiles is driven by the need to reduce fuel consumption to preserve dwindling hydrocarbon resources without compromising other attributes such as safety, performance, recyclability and cost. Materials, design and manufacturing for lightweight vehicles will make it easier for engineers to not only learn about the materials being considered for lightweight automobiles, but also to compare their characteristics and properties.Part one discusses materials for lightweight automotive structures with chapters on advanced steels for lightweight automotive structures, aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys for lightweight powertrains and automotive structures, thermoplastics and thermoplastic matrix composites and thermoset matrix composites for lightweight automotive structures. Part two reviews manufacturing and design of lightweight automotive structures covering topics such as manufacturing processes for light alloys, joining for lightweight vehicles, recycling and lifecycle issues and crashworthiness design for lightweight vehicles.With its distinguished editor and renowned team of contributors, Materials, design and manufacturing for lightweight vehicles is a standard reference for practicing engineers involved in the design and material selection for motor vehicle bodies and components as well as material scientists, environmental scientists, policy makers, car companies and automotive component manufacturers. Provides a comprehensive analysis of the materials being used for the manufacture of lightweight vehicles whilst comparing characteristics and properties Examines crashworthiness design issues for lightweight vehicles and further emphasises the development of lightweight vehicles without compromising safety considerations and performance Explores the manufacturing process for light alloys including metal forming processes for automotive applications

World-class scientists and engineers from more than six countries presented thirty-five papers on topics such as magnesium casting technology, metal matrix composites, mathematical modelling, solidification and reduction of light metals. Metal matrix composites are an important class of advanced industrial materials and significant advances have been achieved recently on the fabrication and characterization of their microstructures and mechanical properties.