Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens
Emeritus Professor

Andrej Atrens

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53748

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

Materials engineering

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.

Search Professor Andrej Atrens’s works on UQ eSpace

540 works between 1974 and 2025
All (540) Journal Article (454) Book Chapter (17) Conference Publication (62) Book (1) Other Outputs (6)

301 - 320 of 540 works

2012

Journal Article

Influence of Al and Y on the ignition and flammability of Mg alloys

Prasad, Arvind, Shi, Zhiming and Atrens, Andrej (2012). Influence of Al and Y on the ignition and flammability of Mg alloys. Corrosion Science, 55, 153-163. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2011.10.014

Influence of Al and Y on the ignition and flammability of Mg alloys

2012

Conference Publication

Overview of the Mg corrosion mechanism

Atrens, Andrej (2012). Overview of the Mg corrosion mechanism. Corrosion, Passivity, and Energy: A Symposium in Honor of Digby D. Macdonald - PRiME 2012, Honolulu, HI, 7 - 12 October 2012. Pennington, NJ United States: Electrochemical Society, Inc. doi: 10.1149/05031.0335ecst

Overview of the Mg corrosion mechanism

2012

Book Chapter

Mechanics of modern test methods and quantitative-accelerated testing for hydrogen embrittlement

Dietzel, W., Atrens, A. and Barnoush, A. (2012). Mechanics of modern test methods and quantitative-accelerated testing for hydrogen embrittlement. Gaseous hydrogen embrittlement of materials in energy technologies. (pp. 237-273) edited by Richard P. Gangloff and Brian P. Somerday. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Woodhead Publishing. doi: 10.1533/9780857093899.2.237

Mechanics of modern test methods and quantitative-accelerated testing for hydrogen embrittlement

2012

Journal Article

The ignition temperature of Mg alloys WE43, AZ31 and AZ91

Liu, Ming, Shih, Donald S., Parish, Catherine and Atrens, Andrej (2012). The ignition temperature of Mg alloys WE43, AZ31 and AZ91. Corrosion Science, 54 (1), 139-142. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2011.09.004

The ignition temperature of Mg alloys WE43, AZ31 and AZ91

2011

Journal Article

Summary of the panel discussions at the 2nd Symposium on Biodegradable Metals, Maratea, Italy, 2010

Staiger, M. P., Feyerabend, F., Willumeit, R., Sfeir, C. S., Zheng, Y. F., Virtanen, S., Mueller, W. D., Atrens, A., Peuster, M., Kumta, P. N., Mantovani, D. and Witte, F. (2011). Summary of the panel discussions at the 2nd Symposium on Biodegradable Metals, Maratea, Italy, 2010. Materials Science and Engineering B-Advanced Functional Solid-State Materials, 176 (20), 1596-1599. doi: 10.1016/j.mseb.2011.09.032

Summary of the panel discussions at the 2nd Symposium on Biodegradable Metals, Maratea, Italy, 2010

2011

Journal Article

Microstructure and Properties of Cu-Cr-Ag in-situ Composites

Liu, Keming, Lu, Deping, Zhou, Haitao, Atrens, A., Zou, Jin and Yang, Yanling (2011). Microstructure and Properties of Cu-Cr-Ag in-situ Composites. Xiyou Jinshu Cailiao Yu Gongcheng, 40 (11), 1931-1935.

Microstructure and Properties of Cu-Cr-Ag in-situ Composites

2011

Journal Article

Corrosion of high purity Mg, Mg2Zn0.2Mn, ZE41 and AZ91 in Hank’s solution at 37 °C

Zainal Abidin, Nor Ishida, Atrens, Aleks D., Martin, Darren and Atrens, Andrej (2011). Corrosion of high purity Mg, Mg2Zn0.2Mn, ZE41 and AZ91 in Hank’s solution at 37 °C. Corrosion Science, 53 (11), 3542-3556. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2011.06.030

Corrosion of high purity Mg, Mg2Zn0.2Mn, ZE41 and AZ91 in Hank’s solution at 37 °C

2011

Journal Article

Strength and toughness tradeoffs for an ultrafine-grain size ferrite/cementite steel produced by warm-rolling and annealing

Zhao, Ming-Chun, Huang, Xiao-Fang, Li, Jing-Li, Zeng, Tian-Yi, Zhao, Ying-Chao and Atrens, Andrej (2011). Strength and toughness tradeoffs for an ultrafine-grain size ferrite/cementite steel produced by warm-rolling and annealing. Materials Science and Engineering A: Structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing, 528 (28), 8157-8168. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2011.07.067

Strength and toughness tradeoffs for an ultrafine-grain size ferrite/cementite steel produced by warm-rolling and annealing

2011

Journal Article

The ductile to brittle transition for C-Mn steel with an ultrafine grain ferrite/cementite microstructure

Zhao, Ming-Chun, Li, Jing-Li, Zeng, Tian-Yi, Xiaofang,, Huang, Zhao, Ying-Chao and Atrens, Andrej (2011). The ductile to brittle transition for C-Mn steel with an ultrafine grain ferrite/cementite microstructure. Materials Science and Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing, 528 (24), 7228-7237. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2011.06.005

The ductile to brittle transition for C-Mn steel with an ultrafine grain ferrite/cementite microstructure

2011

Journal Article

Influence of the applied stress rate on the stress corrosion cracking of 4340 and 3.5NiCrMoV steels under conditions of cathodic hydrogen charging

Ramamurthy, S., Lau, W. M. L. and Atrens, A. (2011). Influence of the applied stress rate on the stress corrosion cracking of 4340 and 3.5NiCrMoV steels under conditions of cathodic hydrogen charging. Corrosion Science, 53 (7), 2419-2429. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2011.03.028

Influence of the applied stress rate on the stress corrosion cracking of 4340 and 3.5NiCrMoV steels under conditions of cathodic hydrogen charging

2011

Journal Article

Identification of the effective grain size responsible for the ductile to brittle transition temperature for steel with an ultrafine grain size ferrite/cementite microstructure with a bimodal ferrite grain size distribution

Zhao, Ming-Chun, Zeng, Tian-Yi, Li, Jing-Li, Huang, Xiaofang, Zhao, Ying-Chao and Atrens, Andrej (2011). Identification of the effective grain size responsible for the ductile to brittle transition temperature for steel with an ultrafine grain size ferrite/cementite microstructure with a bimodal ferrite grain size distribution. Materials Science and Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructures and Processing, 528 (12), 4217-4221. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2011.02.027

Identification of the effective grain size responsible for the ductile to brittle transition temperature for steel with an ultrafine grain size ferrite/cementite microstructure with a bimodal ferrite grain size distribution

2011

Journal Article

Corrosion of high purity Mg, AZ91, ZE41 and Mg2Zn0.2Mn in Hank’s solution at room temperature

Zainal Abidin, Nor Ishida, Martin, Darren and Atrens, Andrej (2011). Corrosion of high purity Mg, AZ91, ZE41 and Mg2Zn0.2Mn in Hank’s solution at room temperature. Corrosion Science, 53 (3), 862-872. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2010.10.008

Corrosion of high purity Mg, AZ91, ZE41 and Mg2Zn0.2Mn in Hank’s solution at room temperature

2011

Journal Article

Stress corrosion cracking of magnesium alloys

Atrens, A., Winzer, N. and Dietzel, W. (2011). Stress corrosion cracking of magnesium alloys. Advanced Engineering Materials, 13 (1-2), 11-18. doi: 10.1002/adem.200900287

Stress corrosion cracking of magnesium alloys

2011

Conference Publication

Magnesium corrosion in different solutions

Abidin, Nor Ishida Zainal, Martin, Darren and Atrens, Andrejs (2011). Magnesium corrosion in different solutions. 5th International Conference on Light Metals Technology, Luneburg, Germany, 19-22 July 2011. Stafa-Zurich, Switzerland: Trans Tech Publications. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.690.369

Magnesium corrosion in different solutions

2011

Book Chapter

Numerical modelling of galvanic corrosion of magnesium (Mg) alloys

Atrens, A., Shi, Z. and Song, G. -L. (2011). Numerical modelling of galvanic corrosion of magnesium (Mg) alloys. Corrosion of magnesium alloys. (pp. 455-483) edited by Guang-Ling Song. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Woodhead Publishing. doi: 10.1533/9780857091413.3.455

Numerical modelling of galvanic corrosion of magnesium (Mg) alloys

2011

Book Chapter

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of magnesium alloys

Atrens, A., Dietzel, W., Bala Srinivasan, P., Winzer, N. and Bobby Kannan, M. (2011). Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of magnesium alloys. Stress corrosion cracking: Theory and practice. (pp. 341-380) edited by Raja, V. S. and Shoji, T.. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Woodhead Publishing. doi: 10.1533/9780857093769.3.341

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of magnesium alloys

2011

Journal Article

An innovative specimen configuration for the study of Mg corrosion

Shi, ZM and Atrens, A (2011). An innovative specimen configuration for the study of Mg corrosion. Corrosion Science, 53 (1), 226-246. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2010.09.016

An innovative specimen configuration for the study of Mg corrosion

2011

Conference Publication

Understanding magnesium corrosion, recent progress at UQ

Atrens, A. (2011). Understanding magnesium corrosion, recent progress at UQ. 18th International Corrosion Congress 2011, Perth, Australia, 20-24 November 2011. Red Hook, NY, United States: Curran Associates.

Understanding magnesium corrosion, recent progress at UQ

2011

Book Chapter

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of magnesium (Mg) alloys

Atrens, A., Winzer, N., Dietzel, W., Srinivasan, P. B. and Song, G. -L. (2011). Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of magnesium (Mg) alloys. Corrosion of magnesium alloys. (pp. 299-364) edited by Guang-Ling Song. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Woodhead Publishing.

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of magnesium (Mg) alloys

2011

Conference Publication

An innovative specimen for Mg corrosion studies

Shi, Zhiming and Atrens, Andrej (2011). An innovative specimen for Mg corrosion studies. 5th International Conference on Light Metals Technology, Luneburg, Germany, 19-22 July 2011. Stafa-Zurich, Switzerland: Trans Tech Publications. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.690.365

An innovative specimen for Mg corrosion studies

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Making Strong Alloys Ductile and Hydrogen-Tolerant via Tuning Nanogradients (ARC Discovery Project administered by The University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Nanoarchitectured anti-corrosion coatings for zinc-plated steel
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Feasibility of the use of gas phase inhibition of hydrogen embrittlement in gas transmission pipelines carrying hydrogen
    Future Fuels CRC Ltd
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    An in-situ and multiscale scanning electron microscopy suite (ARC LIEF administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Development of Optimum Process Conditions for preventing Hydrogen Embrittlement of Hot Stamped Parts
    Hyundai (Korea)
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Hydrogen and pipeline steels: Orientation dependence of fracture toughness
    Future Fuels CRC Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Thermite welded electrical conductor to gas pipeline - literature
    Future Fuels CRC Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Hydrogen embrittlement of pipeline steels, subcritical crack growth (formation) and critical crack growth (initiation)
    Future Fuels CRC Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Improved corrosion performance of new anodised coatings on cast magnesium alloys EV31A and WE43B for Defence Aerospace Platforms
    Defence Materials Technology Centre
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Research collaboration in the area of magnesium corrosion
    Northeastern University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Design of Cost-effective Compositionally Complex Alloys
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Understanding the influence of sterilization on the corrosion and mechanical properties of degradable magnesium orthopaedic screws
    Syntellix AG
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2022
    Depressing pyrite in selective flotation of complex polymetallic ores
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Development of Innovative Technologies for Quality Control of Large Size Ocean Steel Plates
    HBIS Group Co, Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Biodegradable magnesium alloy scaffolds for bone tissue engineering (ARC Discovery Project administered by RMIT University)
    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Hydrogen embrittlement and hydrogen-influenced low-cycle fatigue of advanced h-strength steels and parts for auto service
    Baosteel-Australia Joint Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Processing, corrosion and characterisation challenges
    Defence Materials Technology Centre
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Novel biocompatible nickel-free shape memory alloy scaffolds for biomedical applications (NHMRC Project Grant administered by RMIT)
    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Advanced Laser Additive Manufacturing System for Extended Applications to Surface Engineering, Direct Manufacturing and New Alloy Development
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    A fast, eco-friendly approach to the fabrication of low cost high performance titanium components
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Influence of hydrogen on steel for auto construction
    Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Australia- China Research Centre for Light Metals (ACCLiM) (DIICCSRTE funded project led by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Novel approach to grain refinement for continuous casting and ingot casting of steels
    Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Surface Engineering of Cast Magnesium Alloys for Innovative High Performance Packaging Robots
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012
    An integrated electrochemical device assembly and testing system
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Flotation separation of As sulphide minerals from Cu-As ores and concentrates
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Advanced Facility For Transmission Electron Microscopy Specimen Preparation
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2024
    Interaction of galvanic corrosion and stress corrosion cracking for Mg alloys and alloying influences
    General Motors Corporation USA
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Advanced Foundry Technologies
    CRC Alloy & Solidification Technology (CAST)
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Influence of hydrogen on metallic components for clean energy
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Coatings for Magnesium components and asset protection
    CRC Alloy & Solidification Technology (CAST)
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Rail squats
    CRC for Railway Engineering and Technologies
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2014
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Design in Light Metals (ARC COE administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    Fundamental understanding of the environmental factors essential for environmental assisted fracture (EAF) of cast magnesium alloys
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Metallurgical Influences on Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) of Rock Bolts
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Understanding corrosion in HPC plants to optimise life cycle costs
    Santos Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    Use of APFIM to measure carbon segregation at ferrite:ferrite grain boundaries of pipeline steel and its relationship to service failures by stress corrosion cracking
    Australian Academy of Science
    Open grant
  • 2002
    To access the atom probe field ion microscope to carry out critical measurements to develop understanding of the mechanism for the service stress corrosion cracking of pipeline steels.
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Measurement of grain boundary carbon concentration for pipeline steels and its relation to intergranular stress corrosion cracking (SCC)
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Stress corrosion cracking fracture of rock bolts
    ANI Arnall
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Stress corrosion cracking fracture of rock bolts
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2003
    Collaborative Study of Intergranular Crack Path for Service Stress Corrosion Cracking in Pipeline Steels
    Collaborative/Consortium
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Collaborative study of the intergranular crack path for service stress corrosion cracking of pipeline steels
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Strain gradient plasticity - an experimental examination of critical aspects
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Grain boundary characterisation and its relationship to stress corrosion cracking for high strength steels
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Artificial and accelerated patination
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant

Availability

Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens is:
Available for supervision

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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.

    1. Focus on the manufacturing process: Casting, Shaping and forming, machining, Fabrication, Fabrication of microelectronic devices and micromanufacturing, Joining, Surface Technology, Composites, Ceramics, Wood, Concrete
    1. 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

  • 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

    Hydrogen embrittlement of pipeline steels

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jeffrey Venezuela

  • 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 Additively Manufactured Advanced Structural Materials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Qiyang Tan, Dr Jeffrey Venezuela, Professor Mingxing Zhang

  • 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

Enquiries

Contact Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens directly for media enquiries about:

  • Corrosion
  • Hydrogen embrittlement
  • Magnesium corrosion

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