Innoval Technology (United Kingdom)

Data availability: Data will be made available on request.

The micro-galvanic coupling between the microconstituent phases and the α-Mg matrix in the twin roll cast AZ31 Mg alloy sheet of 6 mm thickness has been investigated using scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) and electron microscopy. The β-Mg17(Al,Zn)12 phase at the interdendritic spaces, along with the Al8Mn5 particles with rosette/flower-shaped morphologies and Fe-particles have been observed in the surface/near-surface region of the alloy sheet. Volta potential differences exhibited by the microconstituents relative to the α-Mg matrix followed the order of Fe-particles > Al8Mn5 intermetallics > β-Mg17(Al,Zn)12 phase. The susceptibility to localized corrosion initiation by the intermetallics predicted from the SKPFM was confirmed by immersion testing conducted in naturally aerated 3.5% NaCl solution at ambient temperature.

High strength aluminium alloys provide benefits in vehicle efficiency and energy consumption. Weldable, lean 7xxx aluminium alloys are currently being developed for body‐in‐white production. In the present study, the influences of thermomechanical history on microstructure and, consequently, on the corrosion behaviour of lean 7xxx aluminium alloys have been investigated. Accelerated corrosion testing has been carried out to assess the corrosion behaviour of the alloys. Conventional electron microscopy, together with electron energy loss spectroscopy, was employed to characterise the alloy microstructure in the as‐fabricated condition, and to examine the microstructural changes after corrosion testing, with the aim of identifying the microstructural features associated with the propagation of corrosion in the alloys. Further, alloys before and after EXCO corrosion testing were examined using a newly developed SEM nanotomography approach; it was demonstrated that the degradation of the microstructure, in particular sub‐surface cracking advancing along the rolling plane is related to thermomechanical processing. Further, this may be associated with the distribution of fine η phase AlMgZn 2 particles at elongated grain boundaries; additionally, the η phase distribution is associated with thermomechanical history. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Areito is the name of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that is being set up and used by multiple educational organizations in the Dominican Republic. Through Areito, it is possible to simultaneously create, manage and deploy a large number of Virtual Learning Communities (VLCs) oriented towards diverse aspects of learning processes in education, science and technology. The nature and specific contents of each VLC are defined by authorized end- users by selecting and configuring collaborative IT tools that best support the social interaction and knowledge exchange between members of a given VLC. This papers provides a general description of Areito and the development of pilot VLCs at educational organizations in the Dominican Republic.