Investigation and improvement of the corrosion behavior of Fe-Mn-Al-Ni(-Cr) shape memory alloys

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Thomas Niendorf
• Subject Area: Metallurgical, Thermal and Thermomechanical Treatment of Materials ; Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials and their Microstructural Origins
• Term: from 2020 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 447247560

A fundamental knowledge of the corrosion behavior of iron-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) is crucial in order to qualify these SMAs for new material intensive applications such as damping elements for bridges and skyscrapers. Especially Fe-Mn-Al-Ni, as one of the most promising iron-based alloy systems, shows a high susceptibility to corrosive attack in preliminary tests. In order to tackle current research gaps, the fundamental corrosion mechanisms of Fe-Mn-Al-Ni will be investigated in this project. Moreover, the corrosion behavior will be improved by the substitution of chromium for iron and aluminum. Thereby a passivation of the alloy system should be obtained, which has to guarantee repassivation in case the surface layer gets damaged by the martensitic transformation. Furthermore, corrosion experiments in alkaline and acid solutions will be carried out to qualify the SMA for diverse applications in civil engineering.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants