Multi-scale Al 5083 for military vehicles with improved performance

Mechanical milling at cryogenic temperatures produces a nanostructured powder that can be used to manufacture a bulk, ultrafine-grained (UFG), non-heat-treated aluminium alloy with an attractive combination of physical anti mechanical properties. The use of a higher-strength aluminum alloy for the construction of military vehicles will reduce their weight substantially and lead to improved fuel consumption, range, reliability, and speed. By introducing coarse grains and creating a multi-scale microstructure, the ductility of the cryomilled aluminum alloy can be in creased above that achieved with a fully UFG structure while still. retaining high strength levels. The addition of reinforcing ceramic, in the form of particulate added during the milling process, has the ability to increase strength levels even further.