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)

341 - 360 of 540 works

2009

Journal Article

Influence of heat treatment and microstructure on the corrosion of magnesium alloy Mg-10Gd-3Y-0.4Zr

Peng, L.M., Chang, J.W., Guo, X.W., Atrens, A., Ding, W.J. and Peng, Y.H. (2009). Influence of heat treatment and microstructure on the corrosion of magnesium alloy Mg-10Gd-3Y-0.4Zr. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ELECTROCHEMISTRY, 39 (6), 913-920. doi: 10.1007/s10800-008-9739-4

Influence of heat treatment and microstructure on the corrosion of magnesium alloy Mg-10Gd-3Y-0.4Zr

2009

Journal Article

A first quantitative XPS study of the surface films formed, by exposure to water, on Mg and on the Mg-Al intermetallics: Al3Mg2 and Mg17Al12

Liu, M., Zanna, S., Ardelean, H., Frateur, I., Schmutz, P., Song, G.L., Atrens, A. and Marcus, P. (2009). A first quantitative XPS study of the surface films formed, by exposure to water, on Mg and on the Mg-Al intermetallics: Al3Mg2 and Mg17Al12. Corrosion Science, 51 (5), 1115-1127. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2009.02.017

A first quantitative XPS study of the surface films formed, by exposure to water, on Mg and on the Mg-Al intermetallics: Al3Mg2 and Mg17Al12

2009

Journal Article

A preliminary quantitative XPS study of the surface films formed on pure magnesium and on magnesium-aluminium intermetallics by exposure to high-purity water

Liu, M., Zanna, S., Ardelean, H., Frateur, I., Schmutz, P., Song, G.L., Atrens, A. and Marcus, P. (2009). A preliminary quantitative XPS study of the surface films formed on pure magnesium and on magnesium-aluminium intermetallics by exposure to high-purity water. Materials Science Forum, 618-619, 255-262. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.618-619.255

A preliminary quantitative XPS study of the surface films formed on pure magnesium and on magnesium-aluminium intermetallics by exposure to high-purity water

2009

Journal Article

Composition and morphology of the film formed on a lead alloy under conditions typical of the electro-winning of copper

Nguyen, T. and Atrens, A (2009). Composition and morphology of the film formed on a lead alloy under conditions typical of the electro-winning of copper. HYDROMETALLURGY, 96 (1-2), 14-26. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2008.07.014

Composition and morphology of the film formed on a lead alloy under conditions typical of the electro-winning of copper

2009

Journal Article

Calculated phase diagrams and the corrosion of die-cast Mg-Al alloys

Liu, M., Uggowitzer, P.J., Nagasekhar, A.V., Schmutz, P., Easton, M., Song, G.L. and Atrens, A. (2009). Calculated phase diagrams and the corrosion of die-cast Mg-Al alloys. Corrosion Science, 51 (3), 602-619. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2008.12.015

Calculated phase diagrams and the corrosion of die-cast Mg-Al alloys

2009

Conference Publication

Corrosion of AZ91-Influence of the beta-phase Morphology

Zhao, MingChun, Uggowitzer, Peter J., Liu, Ming, Schmutz, Patrik, Song, Gaungling and Atrens, Andrej (2009). Corrosion of AZ91-Influence of the beta-phase Morphology. 4th International Light Metals Technology Conference (LMT 2009), Gold Coast, Austraila, 29 June - 1 July 2009. Zurich, Switzerland: TransTech Publications. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.618-619.473

Corrosion of AZ91-Influence of the beta-phase Morphology

2009

Journal Article

Hydrogen embrittlement and rock bolt stress corrosion cracking

Villalba, E and Atrens, A (2009). Hydrogen embrittlement and rock bolt stress corrosion cracking. ENGINEERING FAILURE ANALYSIS, 16 (1), 164-175. doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2008.01.004

Hydrogen embrittlement and rock bolt stress corrosion cracking

2009

Conference Publication

The role of hydrogen in the stress corrosion cracking of Mg-Al alloys

Winzer, N., Atrens, A., Dietzel, W. and Kainer, K. U. (2009). The role of hydrogen in the stress corrosion cracking of Mg-Al alloys. 2008 International Hydrogen Conference, Jackson, WY United States, 7-10 September 2008. Materials Park, Ohio: ASM International.

The role of hydrogen in the stress corrosion cracking of Mg-Al alloys

2009

Conference Publication

Environmentally assisted cracking of magnesium alloys

Dietzel, W., Pfuff, M., Winzer, N. and Atrens, A. (2009). Environmentally assisted cracking of magnesium alloys. 12th International Conference on Fracture 2009, ICF-12, Ottawa, ON Canada, 12-17 July 2009. Red Hook, NY United States: Curran Associates, Inc..

Environmentally assisted cracking of magnesium alloys

2008

Conference Publication

A mechanistic understanding of stress corrosion cracking of Mg-Al alloys

Winzer, N., Atrens, A., Dietzel, W., Raja, V. S., Song, G. and Kainer, K. U. (2008). A mechanistic understanding of stress corrosion cracking of Mg-Al alloys.

A mechanistic understanding of stress corrosion cracking of Mg-Al alloys

2008

Journal Article

Calculated phase diagrams, iron tolerance limits, and corrosion of Mg-Al alloys

Liu, Ming, Uggowitzer, Peter J., Schmutz, Patrik and Atrens, Andrej (2008). Calculated phase diagrams, iron tolerance limits, and corrosion of Mg-Al alloys. JOM: Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 60 (12), 39-44. doi: 10.1007/s11837-008-0164-2

Calculated phase diagrams, iron tolerance limits, and corrosion of Mg-Al alloys

2008

Journal Article

Influence of pH and chloride ion concentration on the corrosion of Mg alloy ZE41

Zhao, M.C., Liu, M., Song, G. and Atrens, A. (2008). Influence of pH and chloride ion concentration on the corrosion of Mg alloy ZE41. Corrosion Science, 50 (11), 3168-3178. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2008.08.023

Influence of pH and chloride ion concentration on the corrosion of Mg alloy ZE41

2008

Journal Article

Metallurgical aspects of rock bolt stress corrosion cracking

Villalba, Ernesto and Atrens, Andrej (2008). Metallurgical aspects of rock bolt stress corrosion cracking. Materials Science and Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructures and Processing, 491 (1-2), 8-18. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2007.11.086

Metallurgical aspects of rock bolt stress corrosion cracking

2008

Journal Article

SCC of commercial steels exposed to high hydrogen fugacity

Villalba, E.L. and Atrens, A. (2008). SCC of commercial steels exposed to high hydrogen fugacity. Engineering Failure Analysis, 15 (6), 617-641. doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2007.10.004

SCC of commercial steels exposed to high hydrogen fugacity

2008

Journal Article

Characterisation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of Mg-Al alloys

Winzer, N., Atrens, A., Dietzel, W., Raja, V. S., Song, G. and Kainer, K. U. (2008). Characterisation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of Mg-Al alloys. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 488 (1-2), 339-351. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2007.11.064

Characterisation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of Mg-Al alloys

2008

Journal Article

Six Sigma review of root causes of corrosion incidents in hot potassium carbonate acid gas removal plant

Harjac, S.J., Atrens, A. and Moss, C.J. (2008). Six Sigma review of root causes of corrosion incidents in hot potassium carbonate acid gas removal plant. Engineering Failure Analysis, 15 (5), 480-496. doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2007.05.003

Six Sigma review of root causes of corrosion incidents in hot potassium carbonate acid gas removal plant

2008

Journal Article

Influence of the beta-phase morphology on the corrosion of the Mg alloy AZ91

Zhao, M.C., Liu, M., Song, G. and Atrens, A. (2008). Influence of the beta-phase morphology on the corrosion of the Mg alloy AZ91. Corrosion Science, 50 (7), 1939-1953. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2008.04.010

Influence of the beta-phase morphology on the corrosion of the Mg alloy AZ91

2008

Journal Article

Corrosion of AZ91 in 1N NaCl and the mechanism of magnesium corrosion

Bender, S., Goellner, J. and Atrens, Andrejs (2008). Corrosion of AZ91 in 1N NaCl and the mechanism of magnesium corrosion. Advanced Engineering Materials, 10 (6), 583-587. doi: 10.1002/adem.200800005

Corrosion of AZ91 in 1N NaCl and the mechanism of magnesium corrosion

2008

Journal Article

Stress corrosion cracking of rare-earth containing magnesium alloys ZE41, QE22 and Elektron 21 (EV31A) compared with AZ80

Kannan, M.B., Dietzel, W., Blawert, C., Atrens, A. and Lyon, P. (2008). Stress corrosion cracking of rare-earth containing magnesium alloys ZE41, QE22 and Elektron 21 (EV31A) compared with AZ80. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 480 (1-2), 529-539. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2007.07.070

Stress corrosion cracking of rare-earth containing magnesium alloys ZE41, QE22 and Elektron 21 (EV31A) compared with AZ80

2008

Journal Article

Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in Mg-Al alloys studied using compact specimens

Winzer, N., Atrens, A., Dietzel, W., Song, G. and Kainer, K.U. (2008). Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in Mg-Al alloys studied using compact specimens. Advanced Engineering Materials, 10 (5), 453-458. doi: 10.1002/adem.200700319

Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in Mg-Al alloys studied using compact specimens

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
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Stress corrosion cracking fracture of rock bolts
    ANI Arnall
    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

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.

    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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