The project research is on the surface oxidation process on TRIP steels with high strength and ductility that are expected to be the future choices for automotive applications in the form of thin sheets. The proposed investigation includes unique application of confocal scanning laser microscope for in-situ visualization of the oxidation process. A major goal is to be able to identify microstructural sites where the oxides initiate, and characterize the morpholigical changes during oxide growth. Results from the high-temperature studies will be combined with room temperature characterization of the scale and steel chemistries and structures in developing analytical models.
The close collaboration between CMU and steel industrial researchers at US-Steel Technical Center (Monroeville, PA) and Bethlehem Steel Homer Research Laboratory (Bethlehem, PA), will broaden the training of materials graduate students by integrating elements of materials performance into the existing training in processing, structure and properties. This will give an opportunity to expose students on the various up and down stream steel manufacturing steps in industrial environments. The graduate student training is expected to result in an awareness of the criteria by which materials performance is judged in the modern manufacturing industry. Distinct plans are outlined to incorporate the collaborative efforts with industry into teaching at CMU through courses on 'Materials Processing' and 'Transport and Kinetics' that would include field trips to industrial sites.
