Humphrey Wara Odhiambo earns TMS Light Metals Award
Author: Cyclone Engineering
Student Name: Humphrey Wara Odhiambo
Academic Department: Materials Science and Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Jun Cui
Accomplishment: TMS Light Metals Award
Description: This award recognizes the TMS Conference paper “Al-Ce-Based Alloys: Processing, Mechanical Properties, and High-Temperature Stability.” The research investigates the thermomechanical processing and property evolution of Al-Ce binary alloys, emphasizing their exceptional high-temperature performance. The study demonstrates that eutectic Al-10Ce exhibits superior strength and ductility compared to hypereutectic Al-16Ce due to its fine microstructure, and that extrusion refines both α-Al grains and Al₁₁Ce₃ intermetallics, doubling mechanical performance. Remarkably, the extruded Al-10Ce retains nearly 100% of its strength after 400h aging at 300°C, underscoring the outstanding thermal stability arising from the low diffusivity and incoherent nature of the Al₁₁Ce₃ phase. These findings position Al-Ce alloys as lightweight alternatives to Ti-based systems for high-temperature aerospace and automotive components.