Grant: Alliance Grants

With an annual production of over 3 Mt of Al, Canada is a world-leading producer of primary Al. The sustainable competitive advantage and the ongoing challenges of global trade require transforming primary Al into innovative value-added products. Hence, the objective of this multidisciplinary research program is to develop innovative high strength, value-added Al-based products possessing high conductivity. A synergy between academia and industry concerning the research, development and application of the innovative Al products and processing routes is crucial to obtain this objective. As the world Cu supplies dwindle, conductive Al alloys become materials of choice for the parts requiring high conductivity. This has become even more critical with the growing market for electric vehicles. However, developing innovative high strength Al conductors has multi-faceted complex scientific and technological challenges, as the required properties (i.e., conductivity and strength) are mutually exclusive, meaning that the parameters leading to strength improvement deteriorate conductivity, and vice versa. In-depth fundamental studies are required to understand the underlying strengthening factors in Al alloys, and determine their respective contributions to mechanical performance, electrical conductivity and castability. Hence, the project's long-term objective is to expand our understanding of the mechanical performance, conductivity, and castability of Al-alloy systems in relation to alloy design, fabrication routes, and microstructural engineering. The advanced solutions, planned through this program, are expected to provide a competitive edge to Canadian Al industries to remain a global leader in the production/manufacturing of Al products.