Abstract:
The decomposition of (ferrous) austenite is one the most important solid state phase transformation as it controls the final microstructure of low and medium alloyed steels. Hence it has attracted and still attracts a lot of scientific and industrial attention. The direct observation of the transformation is very challenging because of the high temperatures involved, the nano-/mico-meter scale of the transformed volume and the
highly transient nature and most of all the fact that the reaction can not be slowed down by cooling or alloying without changing the nature of the transformation.
In the seminar I will present the results of several studies at  the Delft University using (polarised) neutrons, hard X-rays, electrons and photons to determine the important phenomena at the level of individual grains.  The experiments focus on the ferrite formation in C-Mn steels at high temperatures and martensite formation from retained austenite in TRIP steels at room and sub-ambient temperatures.
 
Short Bio:
Sybrand van der Zwaag obtained an MSc in metallurgy at the Delft University of Technology and a PhD in Applied Physics from Cambridge University.  After a postdoc position working on amorphous metals, he joined the Corporate
Research lab of Akzo Nobel (the Netherlands) to work on lyotropic liquid crystalline polymers.  In 1992 he was appointed full professor
Microstructure Control in Metals at the Delft University of Technology.
With his teams he developed the mixed mode transformation model for austenite decomposition and established a wide suite of new physical
characterisation techniques to measure phenomena at the level of individual grain.  In 2004 prof Van der Zwaag joined the faculty of Aerospace
Engineering and leads a group working towards novel materials for Aerospace Applications, focussing on metals, polymers, Smart materials and self healing materials.  In 2012 he was awarded the honorary title of "distinguished professor".  He has published over 400 articles in scientific journals.