Multi-Objective Optimization and Inverse Design of Corrosion-Resistant Aluminum Alloys

The objective of proposed Phase I study is to demonstrate feasibility of alloy design for corrosion resistance of aircraft aluminum alloys via the computational optimization route. The basic methodology involves the use of experimental corrosion data of relevant alloys over a wide range of compositions as input data. Optimization algorithm will be availed for optimization of alloy composition that will result in maximum corrosion resistance and tensile strength simultaneously. The multi-objective evolutionary optimization software packages at Florida International University have the capability to deal with various alloy design applications. Because of lack of availability of appropriate input data, the optimization will focus on concentrations of alloying elements and objectives to include corrosion resistance, tensile strength, weight and cost. Considering high-strength aircraft aluminum alloys, the type of corrosion of interest is Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC). The optimization predictions will be experimentally validated in Phase II. The evolutionary optimization approach minimizes the effort needed for alloy design by avoiding the large volume of experimentation that is characteristic of conventional alloy development, and it guarantees the mathematically best possible solutions.