9702156 Taleff The engineering of economical, enhanced-ductility aluminum alloys requires significant advancements in understanding of three scientific areas, which are the principal research goals of this grant. These goals are to create a quantitative, predictive understanding of the following: (1) the effects which ternary solute additions in Al--Mg materials have on the solute-drag creep deformation mechanism; (2) the nucleation and growth of cavities during solute-drag creep as a function of particulate content and solute chemistry; and (3) the tensile ductility in materials subjected to deformation by solute--drag creep through a better understanding of the mechanisms of necking and cavitation, which govern ductility. The CAREER educational activities consist of four fundamental goals, as follows: (1) a unique instructional approach for undergraduates in the mechanical behavior of materials by incorporating lectures on materials theory with hands-on laboratory activities; (2) unique graduate courses in the mechanical behavior of various classes of materials which utilize research experience and data as educational examples; (3) incorporation of undergraduate students into scientific and engineering research as a significant enhancement to their educations; and (4) the scientific education of high-school students through association with existing mentoring, outreach, and University programs. %%% Success of this research activity is expected to have significant long-term effects in manufacturing. The creation of economical, enhanced-ductility aluminum alloys will significantly decrease the price of superplastic forming as a manufacturing alternative. ***
