The University of British Columbia

Research Interests

• Multi-scale modelling of microstructure evolution
• Physical metallurgy of advanced high strength steels
• Cu interconnects

Multi-scale modelling of microstructure evolution

A particular challenge in developing reliable process models for steels and other advanced alloys (e.g. Al, Mg) is that the effect of alloying elements on the moving interfaces (grain boundaries or inter-phase interfaces) during microstructure evolution (grain growth, recrystallization, phase transformation) is poorly understood from a fundamental perspective. An innovative methodology in this regard is to model across different length scales. Process models are formulated on a macroscopic length scale while underlying physical parameters result from phenomena on the atomistic scale. Thus, modelling tools will be combined that cover different length scales, i.e. starting from ab-initio atomistic modelling of the interaction of alloying elements with the moving interface the modelling length scale will be gradually increased via the scale of the microstructure (i.e. so-called meso-scale) by employing the phase field approach and finally to the macro-scale of the industrial product.

Primary Collaborators: Ilya Elfimov (UBC), McMaster University

Physical metallurgy of advanced high strength steels

Process models with predictive capabilities for hot rolling, annealing and welding are gaining increasing attention with the goal to develop and optimize processing routes for novel advanced high strength steels (e.g. dual-phase steels). It is crucial for process modelling to develop models which accurately describe the microstructure evolution during industrial processing. Current activities emphasize studies on phase transformations in steel on the run-out table of a hot mill, on a hot-dip galvanizing and in the heat affected zone of welds, respectively. In addition, the physical metallurgy work includes the investigation of precipitation, recrystallization and grain growth kinetics.

Primary Collaborators: Warren Poole (UBC), ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Evraz.

Cu interconnects

Interdisciplinary research has been initiated on novel Cu interconnects for advanced microelectronics. With decreasing feature sizes deep into the submicron region, the RC delay of metallization lines and dielectric layers becomes rate limiting rather than the gate delay of transistors. Thus, Cu replaces Al as the material of choice for interconnects in modern chip architecture because Cu has a lower resistivity. Electrodeposition is the method of choice to form Cu films. Interestingly, electrodeposited Cu films show self-annealing at room temperature. The microstructure evolution during self-annealing is associated with recrystallization. The initiated project emphasizes the investigation of the recrystallization and grain growth mechanisms in electrodeposited Cu films. The long term objective is to extend the concept of microstructure engineering to thin films and microelectronics.

Primary Collaborators: Dan Bizzotto (UBC).

Group web site: Microstructure Group

Refereed Journals

1. "Phase field simulation of austenite grain growth in the HAZ of microalloyed linepipe steel", M. Toloui and M. Militzer, International Journal of Materials Research, in press.
2. "Phase field modelling of austenite formation from ultrafine ferrite-carbide aggregates", H. Azizi-Alizamini and M. Militzer,International Journal of Materials Research, in press.
3. "General method for phase transformation modeling of advanced high strength steels", J. Tao, M. Militzer and Z.Y. Liu, ISIJ International, 50, 583-590 (2010).
4. "Effect of nozzle configuration on cooling of a hot moving steel plate", G.A. Franco, M.A. Wells and M. Militzer, Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, 48, 197-205 (2009)
5. "Phenomenological model for deformation-induced ferrite transformation", M. Militzer and Y. Brechet, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 40A, 2273-2282 (2009).
6. "Grain refinement in dual phase steels", K. Mukherjee, S. Hazra and M. Militzer, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 40A, 2145-2159 (2009).
7. "Microstructure evolution model for hot strip rolling of a Nb-microalloyed complex-phase steel", S. Sarkar and M. Militzer, Materials Science and Technology, 25, 1134-1146 (2009).
8. "Heat transfer during run-out table cooling – effect of jet configuration", M.A. Wells, M. Militzer and V. Prodanovic, Iron and Steel Technology, 85-92, October 2008.
   
9. "Heat transfer during multiple jet impingement on the top surface of hot rolled steel strip", K. Jondhale, M.A. Wells, M. Militzer and V. Prodanovic, Steel Research Int., 79, 938-946 (2008).
10. "Microstructure evolution model for hot strip rolling of a Nb-microalloyed complexphase steel". S. Sarkar and M. Militzer, Materials Science and Technology, in press(2008).
    
11. "The effect of nucleation behaviour in phase field simulations of the austenite to ferrite transformation", M. G. Mecozzi, M. Militzer, J. Sietsma and S. van der Zwaag, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 39A, 1237-1247 (2008).
12. "Evolution of austenite recrystallization and grain growth using laser ultrasonics", S. Sarkar, A. Moreau, M. Militzer and W.J. Poole, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 39A, 897-907 (2008).
13. "Modeling self-annealing kinetics in electroplated Cu thin films", M. Stangl and M. Militzer, Journal of Applied Physics 103, 113521 (2008).
    
14. "Modelling of microstructure evolution during hot strip rolling of dual phase steels", D. Liu, F. Fazeli and M. Militzer, ISIJ International 47, 1789-1798 (2007).
    
15. "A novel technique for developing bimodal grain size distributions in low carbon steels", H. Azizi-Alizamini, M. Militzer and W.J. Poole, Scripta Materialia 57, 1065-1068(2007).
    
16. "Microstructure evolution model for hot rolling of a Mo-TRIP steel", D. Liu, F. Fazeli,M. Militzer and W.J. Poole, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions, 38A, 894-909 (2007).
    
17. "Critical comparison of novel and conventional processing for dual-phase steels", K. Mukherjee, S. Hazra, P. Petkov and M. Militzer, Materials and Manufacturing Processes 22,512-516 (2007).
    
18. "The study of low temperature austenite decomposition in a Fe-C-Mn-Si steel using neutron Bragg edge transmission technique", J. Huang, S. Vogel, W.J. Poole, M. Militzer and P. Jacques, Acta Materialia 55, 2683-2693 (2007).
    
19. "Computer simulation of microstructure evolution in low-carbon sheet steels", M. Militzer, ISIJ International 47, 1-15 (2007).
    
20. "Microstructure refinement of a low interstitial ferritic stainless steel by cold rolling and annealing of martensite", H. Azizi-Alizamini, C.W. Sinclair, M. Militzer and J.D. Mithieux, Materials Science Forum 527-529, 113-118 (2007).
    
21. "Analysis of nucleation and interfacial mobility for polygonal ferrite formation using phase field simulations", M.G. Mecozzi, M. Militzer, J. Sietsma and S. van der Zwaag, TMS Letters 3, 15-16 (2006).
    
22. "Microstructure evolution in dual-phase steels", M. Militzer, Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals 59, 711-724 (2006).
    
23. "Three-dimensional phase field modelling of the austenite-to-ferrite transformation", M. Militzer, M.G. Mecozzi, J. Sietsma and S. van der Zwaag, Acta Materialia 54, 3961-3972(2006).
    
24. "Interface mobility in case of the austenite-to-ferrite phase transformation", E. Gamsjäger, J. Svoboda, F.D. Fischer, M. Militzer and F. Fazeli, Computational Materials Science 37, 94-100 (2006).
    
25. "Application of solute drag theory to model ferrite formation in multiphase steels",F. Fazeli and M. Militzer, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions 36A, 1395-1405 (2005).
26. "A note on grain size dependent pinning", Y. Bréchet and M. Militzer, Scripta Materialia 52, 1299-1303, (2005).
27. "Modelling of microstructure evolution during hot rolling of a 780 MPa high strength steel", N. Nakata and M. Militzer, ISIJ International 45, 82-90 (2005).
28. "Effect of heating rate on intercritical annealing of multiphase steels", J. Huang,W.J. Poole and M. Militzer, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions 35A, 3363-3375(2004).

Conference Proceedings

1. "Advanced steels with complex ultra-fine grained microstructures", M. Militzer, S. Sarkar, K. Mukherjee, H. Azizi-Alizamini and W.J. Poole, New Developments on Metallurgy and Applications of High Strength Steels, Buenos Aires (2008).
2. "Microstructure refinement of a low interstitial ferritic stainless steel by cold rolling and annealing of martensite", H. Azizi-Alizamini, C.W. Sinclair, M. Militzer and J.D. Mithieux, Proceedings of ReX&GG III, Materials Science Forum 527-529, 113-118 (2007).
3. "Grain refinement in hot rolled dual phase steels", K. Mukherjee, S. Hazra and M. Militzer, Proceedings of SAE 2006 World Congress, SAE International, SP-2035, Detroit, MI, 81-86 (2006).
4. "Analysis of nucleation and interfacial mobility for polygonal ferrite formation using phase field simulations", M.G. Mecozzi, M. Militzer, J. Sietsma and S. van der Zwaag, TMS Letters 3, 15-16 (2006).
5. "A phase-field study of the ferrite-to-austenite transformation kinetics", J. Cordonier, M. Militzer and A. Jacot, Solid®Solid Phase Transformations in Inorganic Materials, eds. J.M. Howe, D.E. Laughlin, J.K. Lee, U. Dahmen and W.A. Soffa, TMS, Warrendale, PA, 735-740 (2005).
6. "Modelling the kinetics of phase transformations in an advanced high-strength Mo-TRIP steel", F. Fazeli and M. Militzer, Solid-Solid Phase Transformations in Inorganic Materials, eds. J.M. Howe, D.E. Laughlin, J.K. Lee, U. Dahmen and W.A. Soffa, TMS, Warrendale, PA, 835-841 (2005).
7. "Microstructural developments in advanced high strength steels", S. Yue, J.D. Boyd, L. Mallory, M. Militzer and E. Essadiqi, Proceedings of SAE 2005 World Congress, SAE International, SP-1951, Detroit, MI, 85-90 (2005).