Report on Asian Light Metals Association Forum 2016 (ALMA 2016)
The International Communication Committee (ICC) of the Japan

7. Jun-Yen Uan (Professor, National Chung Hsing University,Institute of Light Metals (JILM) held Asian Light MetalsTaiwan), “Heating Rate Effect on Superplastic Behaviors of an

Association Forum 2016 (ALMA 2016) on August 5, 2016 at

As-cold-rolled 5083 Al-Mg-Mn Alloy”

Kyoto TERRSA (Kyoto, Japan). The objective of this forum is to

8. Chayong Lim (Dr., Korea Institute of Materials Science, Korea),establish a network among researchers and engineers of light“KIMS Research Activities on Light Metals”

metals in Asia. The eminent presenters recommended from each

Session 4

region of Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and Australia made9. Alexei Vinogradov (Professor, Norwegian University, Norway)

valuable presentations on recent R&D activities, industrial trends“Fatigue of Ultrafine Grained Light Metals”

and topics on light metals (Al, Mg and Ti alloys) in this forum.

10. Naoyuki Nomura (Assoc. Professor, Tohoku University, Japan)

The history of ALMA (former AFLM) started in 2006, when

“Recent Progress on Additive Manufacturing of Metals”

JILM started organizing International Communication Program(ICP) and held an Asian Symposium on light metals in Japan. Then,the member regions take turns to host both ICP meeting and AFLM.

In session 1, two lectures were given by Prof. Estrin from
Australia and Prof. Shi from China.

The host country was Japan in 2006, 2012 and 2014, Taiwan in

Prof. Estrin explained the present status on the research in2007, Korea in 2008 and China in 2010. Since 2012, the forum has

severe plastic deformation (SPD) in light metals. Examples tobeen held only in one day with only invited talks in a single

apply the results of basic research activities in practical use weresession so as to make dense and open-minded discussions in apresented. On the applications for permanent implant, the effect offamily-like atmosphere. In addition, AFLM was renamed to ALMA

SPD on titanium has been highlighted, and magnesium alloys arein 2014. The policy was explained by Prof. Kubota (Chairperson ofconsidered as temporary implants.
Prof. Shi explained the progress in research and development ofALMA) at the opening address.

aluminum, magnesium and titanium light alloy products in China’s
Session 1

business enterprises, research institutions and universities over

1. Yuri Estrin (Professor, Monash University, Australia), “Ultrafine

recent years. Their current applications in various areas and key

Grained Titanium and Magnesium Alloys for Permanent anddirections of the 13th five-year plan were also presented.
In sessions 2, two lectures on magnesium alloys were given by

Bioresorbable Medical Implants”
2. Wenfang Shi (Professor, China Nonferrous Metals Industry

Prof. Shin from Korea and Prof. Wang from Taiwan, and anAssociation, China), “Development and Application of Light

overview on research topics in Monash University was given by Dr.

Metals in China”

Molotnikov from Australia.

Session 2

Prof. Shin explained current R&D activities on magnesium

3. Kwang Seon Shin (Professor, Seoul National University, Korea),alloys in Korea. A significant R&D project for magnesium alloys“Research Activities on Magnesium Alloys in Korea”

for super-light vehicles was launched by the Korean government,

4. Jian-Yih Wang (Professor, National Dong-Hwa University,and recent topics were explained. One of the examples explained

Taiwan), “Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of LZ91/Alin the lecture was a twin-roll cast magnesium sheet of 2 meters in

Multilayer Fabricated by Accumulative Roll Bonding”

width which was installed in some commercial and concept

5. Andrey Molotnikov (Dr., Monash University, Australia), “Anvehicles in recent years.

Overview of Light Metals and Additive Manufacturing Research atProf. Wang explained a research activity on LZ91 Mg-Li alloy

Monash University”

in Taiwan. The topic wan on microstructure and mechanicalSession 3

properties of LZ91/Al multilayer fabricated by accumulative roll

6. Makoto Kobashi (Professor, Nagoya University, Japan),bonding. Reduction in weight and good formability have been

“Materials

achieved in the LZ91/Al multilayer, but further strengthening andProcessing

forStructures; Porous Metals”

LightMetals

withMeso-scale

improved corrosion resistance will be required in future.

Photo 1 Representatives, attendees, Prof. Kubota (Chairperson) and ICC members.
Dr. Molotnikov provided an overview of research activities onAssoc. Prof. Nomura presented recent progress on additive

light metals and additive manufacturing in Monash University.

manufacturing from the basic background of 3D printing to topics

Brief introduction of several research activities were reviewed

on novel method of powder bed fusion with laser. Some featuresfrom basic studies on physical metallurgy, evaluations ofincluding benefits and drawbacks on light metals and other metals

microstructure and properties to advanced studies on surface

fabricated by selective laser melting electron beam melting process

treatment, fatigue properties and alloy designing.

were addressed.

In sessions 3, two lectures on aluminum alloys were given byThis forum was a precious occasion to listen to dense lectures

Prof. Kobashi from Japan and Prof. Uan from Taiwan, and anamong wide variety of light metal topics; aluminum, magnesium,

overview on research topics in KIMS was given by Dr. Lim fromtitanium and their alloys in one day. Taking advantage of thisKorea.

opportunity, ALMA meeting was also held during lunch break.

Prof. Kobashi explained research topics on conventional
methods to fabricate porous aluminum alloys and novel processing

Delegations from each country discussed about the ALMA web
page (http://www.jilm.or.jp/alma/) and its utilization.

methods to obtain high melting-temperature porous aluminidesAt the end of the forum, Dr. Kubota (ICC chairperson) gave awith a focus on the reactive precursor process. Possible

memorial plaque to each lecturer, and Prof. Kawamura (vice-chair)applications of the porous materials and future requirements wereaddressed the closing remarks.

also discussed in the lecture.

After the ALMA forum, a buffet party was held at Kyoto

Prof. Uan explained a research activity in Taiwan with regard toTERRSA. The party was so family-like with a small group that all

the effect of heating rate on the superplastic behaviors ofof the participants communicated each other. The next ALMA

cold-rolledforum will be held in 2018 in Tokyo-metropolitan area in the5083

aluminumalloy.

Detailedstudies

onmicrostructure have proved that controlling heating rate is effective

occasion of JILM fall meeting.

to reduce the process time for superplastic forming.
Dr. Lim provided an overview of research activities onaluminum and titanium alloys in KIMS. Brief introduction ofseveral research activities were reviewed on alloy design,
microstructure control and processing in aluminum alloys, and also
on improvement of mechanical properties and formability, methodof controlling elastic modulus in titanium alloys.
In session 4, two lectures on recent topics were given by Prof.
Vinogradov from Norway and Assoc. Prof. Nomura from Japan.
Prof. Vinogradov, from Norway University, was invited to thepresent ALMA forum because he has a long-time researchexperience in Japan, and gave a presentation on the fatigue
properties of magnesium alloys processed with SPD. Grain
refinement achieved by SPD process is effective to improve thefatigue properties as well as static mechanical properties.

Photo 2 Opening address by Prof. Kubota.