The Mechanics of Materials Research Laboratory (MMRL) is part of the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. The laboratory was established in 1981 by Prof. Hamouda Ghonem to study the role of microstructure in time-dependent deformation and damage mechanisms of advanced engineering materials subjected to extreme temperature and environmental conditions. Research work in the MMRL has investigated a wide range of materials including titanium alloys, nickel base superalloys, low carbon steel and titanium metal matrix composites. These materials are studied in relation to the effect of precipitates and solid solution strengthening, grain boundary morphology and precipitate diffusion, migration and coarsening on phenomena related to creep-fatigue-environment interactions. This work includes computational and analytical studies coupled with experimental programs using research facilities encompassing creep. creep crack growth, and low cycle fatigue tests performed at temperatures up to 950°C in air and vacuum environment. The current research in the MMRL deals with  γ’ and  carbides /dislocation interactions in precipitate hardened and solid solution strengthened nickel based superalloys, and twin generation and  dynamic flow stress in ultrafine grained low carbon steel. The MMRL has been supported by research grants sponsored by government and industrial agencies.

Contact

Professor Hamouda Ghonem
Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering
212 Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering
2 East Alumni Avenue Kingston, RI 02881 USA
Tel: 401.874.2909
ghonem@uri.edu
https://web.uri.edu/materialslab/