
Overview
Background
Prof Andrej Atrens's research interests are in: the service performance of engineering materials and alloy development.
He received a PhD from the University of Adelaide in 1976, a DEng from the University of Queensland in 1997, and became FHEA in 2018.
His current research projects are in the fields of:
- Mg Corrosion
- SCC
- Hydrogen embrittlement
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Adelaide
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education, The University of Queensland
- Doctoral Diploma of Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Australian Institute of Physics, Australian Institute of Physics
- Engineers Australia, Engineers Australia
- Fellow, Higher Education Academy, Higher Education Academy
Research interests
-
Mg Corrosion
-
Hydrogen Embrittlenent
-
Stress Corrosion cracking
Research impacts
Atrens has made significant contributions to the understanding of the service performance of engineering materials. This includes:
- Related electrochemical hydrogen charging to equivalent hydrogen fugacity.
- Demonstrated that there is little risk in auto service of HE for the advanced high-strength steels currently used in automobile light-weighting,
- Elucidated corrosion mechanisms of magnesium alloys, stainless steels and copper alloys,
- Developed a model for the patination of copper, and a procedure for an artificial patination process,
- Developed an improved understanding of passivity in stainless steels and binary alloys such as Fe-Cr, Ni-Cr, Co-Cr, Fe-Ti, and Fe-Si.
- Characterised the corrosion reactions, types of corrosion and the corrosion morphologies for Mg alloys and related these to alloy chemistry, metallurgy and microstructure.
- Help to provide an understanding of the biocorrosion of Mg.
- Produced a comprehensive explanation of the strange electrochemical behaviour of the negative difference effect, which underlies the corrosion behaviour of magnesium and its alloys.
Works
Search Professor Andrej Atrens’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Tailoring stress corrosion cracking resistance of pearlitic steel wires via composition and cold drawing ratio
Zhang, Zeling, Qiao, Wenwei, Xu, Yan, Wang, Linfeng, Yao, Ju, Zhou, Lichu, Zhou, Xuefeng, Dargusch, Matthew, Atrens, Andrej, Venezuela, Jeffrey, Xie, Zonghan and Fang, Feng (2025). Tailoring stress corrosion cracking resistance of pearlitic steel wires via composition and cold drawing ratio. Corrosion Science, 257 113368, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113368
2025
Journal Article
Tempering-induced modulation of hydrogen embrittlement in additively manufactured AISI 4340 steel
Yao, Ju, Tan, Qiyang, Venezuela, Jeffrey, Sun, Kaige, Ma, Ninshu, Atrens, Andrej and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2025). Tempering-induced modulation of hydrogen embrittlement in additively manufactured AISI 4340 steel. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 946 149125, 149125. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2025.149125
2025
Journal Article
High-temperature oxidation and carburization, corrosion protection, materials selection and coolant chemistry for supercritical carbon dioxide power cycles: A review
Zhang, Gen, Huang, Yan-Ping, Zhao, Yong-Fu, Wang, Liang-Zi, Jiang, E., Tao, Si-Yuan, Guo, Xianglong, Liu, Wei-Wei, Wang, Jia-Zhen, Atrens, Andrej and Pan, Fu-Sheng (2025). High-temperature oxidation and carburization, corrosion protection, materials selection and coolant chemistry for supercritical carbon dioxide power cycles: A review. International Materials Reviews 09506608251369099. doi: 10.1177/09506608251369099
2025
Journal Article
Gaseous hydrogen permeation in X65 D pipeline steel and a preliminary evaluation of the influence of oxygen
Röthig, Maximilian, Hoschke, Joshua, Chowdhury, Md Fahdul Wahab, Tapia-Bastidas, Clotario V., Venezuela, Jeffrey, Gray, Evan, Depover, Tom, Verbeken, Kim, Djukic, Milos B. and Atrens, Andrej (2025). Gaseous hydrogen permeation in X65 D pipeline steel and a preliminary evaluation of the influence of oxygen. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 158 150459. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.150459
2025
Journal Article
High frequency pulse gas tungsten arc welding of 304HCu stainless steel Hochfrequenz-Impuls-Wolframinertgasschweißen von rostfreiem Stahl X3CrNiCu18-9
Srinivasan, S., Ravi Bharath, R., Atrens, A. and Bala Srinivasan, P. (2025). High frequency pulse gas tungsten arc welding of 304HCu stainless steel Hochfrequenz-Impuls-Wolframinertgasschweißen von rostfreiem Stahl X3CrNiCu18-9. Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik, 56 (8) 021, 1061-1069. doi: 10.1002/mawe.70021
2025
Journal Article
Hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of additively manufactured high-strength low-alloy AISI 4340 steel
Yao, Ju, Venezuela, Jeffrey, Tan, Qiyang, Wang, Hao, Shu, Yilei, Gray, Evan, Ma, Ninshu, Atrens, Andrej and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2025). Hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of additively manufactured high-strength low-alloy AISI 4340 steel. Corrosion Science, 256 113212, 113212. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113212
2025
Journal Article
Cutting-edge advances for the positive electrode in aqueous K-ion batteries: exploring electrochemical properties, structural designs, and applicable perspectives
Liu, Xiao, Zhao, Ming-Chun, Atrens, Andrej and Zhang, Fuqin (2025). Cutting-edge advances for the positive electrode in aqueous K-ion batteries: exploring electrochemical properties, structural designs, and applicable perspectives. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 13 (24), 18146-18182. doi: 10.1039/d5ta00894h
2025
Journal Article
Effect of Al3(Sc, Zr) dispersoids on the mechanical and corrosion behavior of Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloys
Zhang, Yu, Ding, Lipeng, Zou, Qi, Su, Yi, Jia, Zhihong, Zhen, Fangcheng, Zhuang, Linzhong and Atrens, Andrej (2025). Effect of Al3(Sc, Zr) dispersoids on the mechanical and corrosion behavior of Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloys. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 1032 181166. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.181166
2025
Journal Article
Unprecedented laser metal deposition (LMD) biofabrication of nano-ZrO2 reinforced structure-function-integrated Ti–Cu composite: Fabrication, wear, biofunctionality
Wang, Wenze, Li, Xin, Zhao, Chaochun, Atrens, Andrej and Zhao, Ming-Chun (2025). Unprecedented laser metal deposition (LMD) biofabrication of nano-ZrO2 reinforced structure-function-integrated Ti–Cu composite: Fabrication, wear, biofunctionality. Composites Part B: Engineering, 298 112379. doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112379
2025
Journal Article
The orientation dependence of the fracture toughness in hydrogen of X65 D pipeline steel with a banded ferrite-pearlite microstructure
Chowdhury, Md Fahdul Wahab, Tapia-Bastidas, C.V., Hoschke, Joshua, Venezuela, Jeffrey, Roethig, Maximilian and Atrens, Andrej (2025). The orientation dependence of the fracture toughness in hydrogen of X65 D pipeline steel with a banded ferrite-pearlite microstructure. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 137, 487-504. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.04.507
2025
Journal Article
Systematic thermodynamic predications of alloying element binding behavior: a case of elemental selection for Mn-reinforced Mg-based alloys and composites
Zhou, Xiwei, Yuan, Yuan, Chen, Tao, Wang, Jun, Zhang, Ligang, Wu, Liang, Chen, Xianhua, Atrens, Andrej and Pan, Fusheng (2025). Systematic thermodynamic predications of alloying element binding behavior: a case of elemental selection for Mn-reinforced Mg-based alloys and composites. Materials Today Chemistry, 46 102792, 102792. doi: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2025.102792
2025
Journal Article
A bimodified MgAlCe-LDHs@GO self-healing anti-corrosion coating based on the micro arc oxidation coating of AZ31 magnesium alloy
Jiao, Zuojun, Zhou, Yan, Dai, Xiaowei, Wu, Jiahao, Chen, Yonghua, Wu, Mingyi, Yao, Wenhui, Yuan, Yuan, Xie, Zhihui, Ma, Yanlong, Andrej, Atrens and Wu, Liang (2025). A bimodified MgAlCe-LDHs@GO self-healing anti-corrosion coating based on the micro arc oxidation coating of AZ31 magnesium alloy. Corrosion Science, 248 112805, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2025.112805
2025
Journal Article
The influence of subcritical annealing and cold working on the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of X65 D pipeline steel
Hoschke, Joshua, Chowdhury, Md Fahdul Wahab, Roethig, Maximilian, Tapia-Bastidas, Clotario V., Venezuela, Jeffrey, Shu, Yilei, Gray, Evan, Djukic, Milos B., Depover, Tom, Verbeken, Kim and Atrens, Andrej (2025). The influence of subcritical annealing and cold working on the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of X65 D pipeline steel. Materials and Corrosion-Werkstoffe Und Korrosion, 76 (10), 1478-1496. doi: 10.1002/maco.202514934
2025
Journal Article
Effect of casting-forging integrated forming technology on the microstructure and properties of a 6061 aluminum alloy automobile brake caliper housing
Sheng, Xiaochun, Zhang, Tianfeng, Liu, Keming, Shen, Zhi, Peng, Yong, Xu, Hongli, Zhou, Haitao and Atrens, Andrej (2025). Effect of casting-forging integrated forming technology on the microstructure and properties of a 6061 aluminum alloy automobile brake caliper housing. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 114 (Part B) 115828. doi: 10.1007/s11665-025-11733-1
2025
Journal Article
Effect of trace Ca and Y on the corrosion behavior and discharge performance of Mg[sbnd]In anodes for Mg-air battery
He, Yuantai, Wu, Liang, Xiang, Jianpeng, Wu, Tao, Yao, Wenhui, Yuan, Yuan, Andrej, Atrens and Pan, Fusheng (2025). Effect of trace Ca and Y on the corrosion behavior and discharge performance of Mg[sbnd]In anodes for Mg-air battery. Journal of Energy Storage, 114 (Part B) 115828. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2025.115828
2025
Journal Article
Production and corrosion resistance mechanism of MgLiAlCe-LDHs@GO-5NH3 composite coating
Yu, Fubing, Tian, Zhenzhen, Wu, Rongqian, Zhou, Yan, Yao, Wenhui, Yuan, Yuan, Xie, Zhihui, Ma, Yanlong, Andrej, Atrens and Wu, Liang (2025). Production and corrosion resistance mechanism of MgLiAlCe-LDHs@GO-5NH3 composite coating. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 1021 179443, 179443. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.179443
2025
Journal Article
Micro-Arc Oxidation (MAO) Synthesized MgAl2O4 Spinel-Integrated Coatings on Mg Alloys: Multidimensional Exploration of Bioegradation, Biocompatibility, and Osseointegration
Feng, Jun, Yuan, Shaohua, Shi, Zhiyong, Li, Xin, Zhao, Yingchao, Atrens, Andrej and Zhao, Ming-Chun (2025). Micro-Arc Oxidation (MAO) Synthesized MgAl2O4 Spinel-Integrated Coatings on Mg Alloys: Multidimensional Exploration of Bioegradation, Biocompatibility, and Osseointegration. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 36, 6486-6498. doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2025.04.251
2025
Journal Article
Fusion Welding of Magnesium Alloys: Process Variants, Metallurgical Challenges, and Structure-Property Relationships-A Critical Review
Srinivasan, S., Bharath, R. Ravi, Atrens, Andrej and Srinivasan, P. Bala (2025). Fusion Welding of Magnesium Alloys: Process Variants, Metallurgical Challenges, and Structure-Property Relationships-A Critical Review. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 34 (11), 9247-9280. doi: 10.1007/s11665-024-10455-0
2025
Journal Article
Microwave-sintered nano-SiC reinforced 8SiC/Ti-3Cu composite: fabrication, wear resistance, antibacterial function, and biocompatibility
Li, Xin, Zhao, Ying-Chao, Yin, Dengfeng, Cai, Ying, Xiao, Desheng, Zhao, Ming-Chun, Wen, Cuie and Atrens, Andrej (2025). Microwave-sintered nano-SiC reinforced 8SiC/Ti-3Cu composite: fabrication, wear resistance, antibacterial function, and biocompatibility. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 14 (6) 2403626, 1-19. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202403626
2025
Journal Article
Simultaneous enhancement of strength and thermal conductivity of extruded Mg−Mn−Zn alloy via hot compression
LIU, Hai-feng, YANG, Xu-yue, ZHANG, Yu-xiu, NAGAUMI, Hiromi, ZHAO, Ming-chun, SHI, Zhi-yong and ATRENS, Andrej (2025). Simultaneous enhancement of strength and thermal conductivity of extruded Mg−Mn−Zn alloy via hot compression. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (English Edition), 35 (3), 819-831. doi: 10.1016/S1003-6326(24)66716-6
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Thesis Project
The aim is to provide an overview and summary of the state of art and description of key technical challenges, drivers and trends emerging in the technology/sector.
The total topic is huge so it is necessary to target one part. A possible approach is to look at a particular number of sectors. Sectors can be defined in a number of ways.
- Focus on the manufacturing process: Casting, Shaping and forming, machining, Fabrication, Fabrication of microelectronic devices and micromanufacturing, Joining, Surface Technology, Composites, Ceramics, Wood, Concrete
- Focus on the industry or industry sector: Aerospace, auto, microelectronic or consumer electronics, consumer goods etc.
A number of these sectors need to be chosen and analysed. For each sector an overview/summary is to be provided together with the references of where the information was obtained.
-
Gas Phase Inhibition of Hydrogen Embrittlement
We aim to understand the kinetics of the inhibition of hydrogen embrittlement in hydrogen gas environments by added gases such as oxygen.
We are building a gas phase permeabilty apparatus capable of operating at 200 C and 200 bar hydrogen
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Strong Hydrogen-Tolerant Steels via Tuning Nanogradients
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeffrey Venezuela
-
Doctor Philosophy
Feasibility of the use of gas phase inhibition of hydrogen embrittlement in gas transmission pipelines carrying hydrogen
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeffrey Venezuela
-
Doctor Philosophy
Hydrogen embrittlement of pipeline steels
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeffrey Venezuela
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Master Philosophy
Hydrogen and pipeline steels; orientation dependence of fracture toughness
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeffrey Venezuela
-
Doctor Philosophy
Hydrogen embrittlement of pipeline steels, subcritical crack evaluation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeffrey Venezuela
-
Doctor Philosophy
The influence of long-term degradation effects on the hydrogen embrittlement of pipeline steels used in hydrogen transportation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, Dr Jeffrey Venezuela
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Design, manufacturing, and evaluations of biodegradable metal mesh implant for pelvic floor reconstructions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, Dr Jeffrey Venezuela
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
The discharge performance of advanced Mg-based alloys for Mg-air battery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Hydrogen Embrittlement of Advanced High Strength Steels for Auto Applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang, Dr Jeffrey Venezuela
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Temporary Corrosion Protection of a New Generation of Magnesium Alloys
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring Magnesium Corrosion in a Medical Environment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Influence of hydrogen on some DP, Q&P and TWIP grades of advanced high strength steels for auto construction
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Influence of Hydrogen on MS980, MS1180, MS1300 and MS1500 Martensitic Advanced High Strength Steels Used for Automotive Applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking of Magnesium Alloys
Principal Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Influence of hydrogen on metallic components for clean energy
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Corrosion of Mg and Mg Alloys for Medical Applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Influence of the Applied Stress Rate on the Stress Corrosion Cracking of 4340 and 3.5NiCrMoV Steels
Principal Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Metallurgical influences on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of rock bolts
Principal Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
A mechanistic Understanding of Stress Corrosion Cracking of Mg Alloys
Principal Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
A study of the mechanism by which cobalt ions minimize corrosion of lead alloy anodes during electrowinning of base metals
Principal Advisor
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2007
Master Philosophy
UNDERSTANDING CORROSION IN HOT POTASSIUM CARBONATE (HPC) ACID GAS REMOVAL PLANTS
Principal Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
CHEMISTRY OF IN-SITU PHOSPHATING COATING
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
STRESS CORROSION CRACKING OF ROCK BOLTS
Principal Advisor
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Hydrogen Embrittlement of Additively Manufactured Advanced Structural Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiyang Tan, Dr Jeffrey Venezuela, Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Novel approaches to improve the mechanical properties of a high-strength low-alloy steel
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Influence of trace addition of Be on the oxidation behaviour of Mg alloys
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
COMPUTER MODELING OF GALVANIC CORROSION FOR MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
Associate Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
THE CORROSION PERFORMANCE OF ANODISED MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens directly for media enquiries about:
- Corrosion
- Hydrogen embrittlement
- Magnesium corrosion
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