Peter Bocchini
 | |
| Research: | Co-Based Superalloys |
|---|---|
| Education: | Graduate Student Northwestern University B.M.E.,Mechanical Eng., University of Delaware 2010 Minor: Sustainable Energy, University of Delaware 2010 |
| Publications: | Publications by Bocchini in our database |
|
Contact | |
|
Peter Bocchini
Materials Science and Engineering
2220 North Campus Drive Evanston, IL 60208 Phone:
Email: pbocchin@gmail.com
Fax:
| |
Research
High temperature, high strength alloys have been studied for many years and have lead to significant improvements in aerospace engines, as well as in the nuclear and fossil fuel electric power industries. Ni-based superalloys have been the predominant material of choice for these applications due to their ability to operate at 90% of their melting temperature and capacity to withstand high mechanical stresses under harsh environments. The Ni-based superalloys gain their unique properties through the formation of a γ-γ’ microstructure which consists of cuboidal L12 precipitates in an f.c.c. matrix. It was recently discovered in 2006 that Co-based alloys could be processed to have the same γ-γ’ as the more widely used Ni superalloys. The significance of this discovery is that the initial cobalt superalloys have been shown to have solidus temperatures 100-150 ºC higher than optimized Ni superalloys. Higher operation temperatures will have an enormous effect in the efficiency and performance of jet and rocket engines, and in the electric power production industry by means of gas turbine improvements.
The purpose of my project is to study the microstructural evolution of these new Co-based alloys and how, by varying microstructure and alloying elements, the mechanical properties of these materials can be tailored for specific purposes. Specifically yield strength via hardness measurements for ambient temperature characterization and creep rate for elevated temperature applications will be studied as these properties are important for high temperature turbine applications. In addition to experimental work, dynamic dislocation modeling will be used as a predictive tool for the investigation of ambient temperature strengthening mechanisms.
Honors and Awards
Northwestern University
• NASA Aeronautics Scholarship (2011-Present)
• NSF GRFP Fellowship Honorable Mention (2011)
• Walter P. Murphy Fellowship (2010-2011)
University of Delaware
• Summa Cum Laude (2010)
• Boeing Company Sholarship (2009)
• W. Francis Lindell Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award (2009)
• Redden Mechanical Engineering Scholarship (2008)
• 1743 Distinguished Scholar (2006)
