Overview

The Weihs Group performs research that aims to understand the interplay between materials processing, microstructure, properties, and performance for a variety of structural applications. These applications include lightweight body armor, vibration damping, heat transfer, and structural energetics. The materials explored in these projects include lightweight magnesium alloys, stainless steel, copper, and amorphous thin films composed of Al, Ti, Cu, and Zr. These materials are processed using a variety of techniques, such as extrusion, rolling, weaving, and DC magnetron sputtering. The resulting microstructures and properties are examined using a wide suite of electron and optical microscopy, mechanical testing, and X-ray techniques.
Thermo-mechanical Processing of Mg Alloys

Thermo-mechanical Processing of Mg Alloys

This DoD project investigates and characterizes the microstructural evolution of magnesium alloys exposed to high temperatures and severe plastic deformation. We explore the effects of thermomechanical processing parameters on the microstructural evolution of magnesium, and mechanical testing is being performed to assess the impact of microstructure on mechanical behavior at various strain rates.

Structural Materials Research Projects
Combinatorial Studies of High Entropy Alloys

Combinatorial Studies of High Entropy Alloys

This project focuses on creating materials consisting of at least four elements through magnetron sputtering. We are interested in understanding how mechanical properties like strength and ductility vary with changes to compositions and expanding the material space for structural applications.

Structural Materials Research Projects
Structural Reactive Materials

Structural Reactive Materials

This research area aims to understand the fragmentation, breakup, and combustion of structural energetic materials subject to explosive launch or rapid impact in counter-WMD munitions. We examine both model materials and high density materials, focusing on dynamic and quasi-static mechanical properties, as well as energetic release, using state-of-the-art test facilities.
Structural Materials Research Projects Reactive Materials Research Projects
In-situ High Strain Rate Study of Deformation

In-situ High Strain Rate Study of Deformation

This DoD project studies very high strain rate mechanical testing of Mg alloys with concurrent electron microscopy. The current approach aims to utilize high-performance piezoelectric actuators to load a thinned sample at strain rates from 102 - 104 s-1.

Structural Materials Research Projects
Materials with Controlled Architectures

Materials with Controlled Architectures

This project studies the architectural and microstructural optimization of 3D woven structural materials. To develop novel structural materials in a far more rapid and efficient manner, we employ topological optimization methods to predict ideal material architectures and novel textile processing to fabricate those architectures. The designed and manufactured 3D woven materials possess superior permeability, stiffness, damping, and heat transfer properties.

Structural Materials Research Projects
Nucleation within Steep Composition Gradients (Inactive)

Nucleation within Steep Composition Gradients (Inactive)

This DOE project aims to build on our previous work and established capability using nanocalorimeters to study intermetallic formation reactions in the presenence of steep composition gradients. The theory developed in the project will be a notable improvement on our existing understanding of how nucleation occurs in concentration gradients, with the experiments representing the first rigorous and systematic verification of such a model.
Structural Materials Research Projects Reactive Materials Research Projects