The University of Florida
The Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Florida is a recognized leader in research and education in the area of advanced high temperature materials. Funded research has been performed in the areas of superalloys, intermetallics, ceramics and composites. Our faculty and staff continue to develop and apply state-of-the-art technologies for processing techniques, such as rapid solidification, mechanical alloying and directional solidification are routinely utilized in our research. Microstructures have been characterized to better understand the effect of processing, deformation mechanisms and phase stability. Techniques have been developed to evaluate the properties of one-of-a-kind, often difficult to test, materials. Recent research programs include basic research on the high temperature intermetallic alloys, based on MoSi 2 , TiAl and NiAl for potential gas turbine applications.
Our faculty also have experienced with “conventional” high temperature materials including Ni-base superalloy single crystals, coatings and scale-up issues for fabrication of larger components typical of land-based gas turbines. In addition, critical issues for the development of advanced gas turbine systems, such as long-term thermal stability, heat treatment effects, alternate processing routes, alloying effects and environmental resistance have been evaluated by members of our faculty. Lastly, our capabilities include the use of computational materials science (e.g., CALPHAD techniques) to predict phase stability and alloy modifications for improved properties.
The facilities that could be utilized for research programs include equipment for physical property determination, microstructural characterization, mechanical testing and processing. The Department currently operates the major Analytical Instrumentation Center (MAIC) which includes very extensive capabilities for microstructural evaluation ranging from basic metallographic examination to high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The MAIC facilities also include scanning electron microscopes, electron microprobes, Auger microscopes and X-ray diffraction equipment. Mechanical testing capabilities include elevated temperature and controlled environmental testing with servo-hydraulic test systems and computer-controlled creep frames. Processing facilities at the University of Florida include, hot melting/casting, heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing (HIP), directional solidification and rapid solidification equipment.
The Materials Science and Engineering faculty have close working relationships with many industry and government labs who have close ties with the gas turbine industry. Partnerships have been established with companies involved in the processing of materials for aircraft and industrial gas turbines as well as the gas turbine manufacturers (e.g., Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Solar and Siemens/Westinghouse, etc.). In addition, industry labs, such as GE CR&D and UTRC, and government labs (e.g., ORNL and WPAFB) are also frequently teamed with University of Florida faculty.