Research activities at the Magnesium Research Center (MRC)

Abstract

Metallurgy is part of materials science and engineering and refers to the study of the physical and chemical behaviour of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, known as alloys. It's an exciting area, with metals, alloys and composites representing the backbone of many industries, including construction, automotive and aerospace. One important element, which has widespread uses in a number of industries due to its ability to be used in the fabrication of lightweight materials, is magnesium (Mg). It is particularly useful when alloyed with other elements and processed properly to make it lighter, stronger, and more compelling in airplane and car construction. In order for innovations to arise in this field, enhanced understanding of alloys is required, and this is something that Professors Yoshihito Kawamura and Donald Shih, researchers at the Magnesium Research Center (MRC), Kumamoto University, Japan, are focused on.