LSU ME Professor Has Research Paper Published in Science Journal

LSU Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Chris Marvel and his fellow collaborators from Lehigh University, Ohio State University, and the Army Research Laboratory recently had their research on lightweight high entropy metallic alloys published in the Science journal.

“We’re motivated to conduct this research because recent advancements in solid-state materials processing better enable the design, production and evaluation of metallic alloys that are geared for high-temperature and extreme applications,” Marvel said.

Nickel-based superalloys (Ni-based) have been the cornerstone for high-performance materials in extreme applications like turbine engines. These alloys are prized for their ability to maintain strength and resistance to creep under high temperatures due to their microstructures containing networks of gamma' precipitates. Decades of metallurgical advancements have refined these alloys by optimizing the distribution and size of these secondary phases to maximize performance. However, Ni-based superalloys are used near their melting temperatures, and their temperature stability cannot be significantly increased without surpassing their operational limits.

This presents a critical need for alternative structural materials that can maintain the strength and creep resistance of superalloys at elevated temperatures, particularly above 1100 °C. Even a marginal improvement in temperature stability, such as 50 °C, could substantially enhance the efficiency and performance of advanced systems like turbine engines and hypersonic vehicles.

“This research aims to identify and develop new materials that offer longer, more productive lifetimes at these extreme conditions,” Marvel said.

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