Texture enhancement by inoculation in strip-cast metallic sheet. A recent discovery by the applicants has shown the possibility of producing, by inoculation during a direct casting route, stainless steel strip that exhibits a remarkably strong crystallographic alignment of grains perpendicular to the sheet surface. The production of this so-called <001>//ND fibre texture in thin strip by direct casting represents a vastly simplified route for the possible production of iron-base strip suitable f ....Texture enhancement by inoculation in strip-cast metallic sheet. A recent discovery by the applicants has shown the possibility of producing, by inoculation during a direct casting route, stainless steel strip that exhibits a remarkably strong crystallographic alignment of grains perpendicular to the sheet surface. The production of this so-called <001>//ND fibre texture in thin strip by direct casting represents a vastly simplified route for the possible production of iron-base strip suitable for some magnetic applications. The principle aims of the project are to elucidate the mechanisms of formation of this highly textured steel sheet and to explore the feasibility of reproducing the texture in other metallic systems.Read moreRead less
A Novel Approach to Grain Refinement of Cast Metals. This proposal combines fundamental scientific studies with applied engineering research. The outcomes will offer materials scientists and engineers with a totally new way to understand the grain refinement of cast metals. The new scientific knowledge generated will put Australia at the absolute forefront of the field and maintain our internationally leading position. The new grain refiners and the relevant master alloys to be developed will ....A Novel Approach to Grain Refinement of Cast Metals. This proposal combines fundamental scientific studies with applied engineering research. The outcomes will offer materials scientists and engineers with a totally new way to understand the grain refinement of cast metals. The new scientific knowledge generated will put Australia at the absolute forefront of the field and maintain our internationally leading position. The new grain refiners and the relevant master alloys to be developed will have strong potential to be commercialized to produce cast metals with much improved properties and performance. This will not only increase Australian competitive ability in the international market, but will also make considerable economic benefits.Read moreRead less
The Development of High Strength Aluminium and Magnesium Alloys Using "Edge-to-edge" Matching Model. The theoretical, crystallographic "edge-to-edge" matching model for diffusion-controlled phase transformations will be applied to the practical development of improved industrial aluminium and magnesium alloys with assistance of computer simulations. The model will be used to enhance the precipitation hardening response and to identify more effective grain refiners in these light alloys. The aim ....The Development of High Strength Aluminium and Magnesium Alloys Using "Edge-to-edge" Matching Model. The theoretical, crystallographic "edge-to-edge" matching model for diffusion-controlled phase transformations will be applied to the practical development of improved industrial aluminium and magnesium alloys with assistance of computer simulations. The model will be used to enhance the precipitation hardening response and to identify more effective grain refiners in these light alloys. The aims will be the development of one high strength aluminium alloy with good ductility and one high strength magnesium alloy with good creep resistance at elevated temperatures. A computer program that will help to identify the most effective grain refiners for specific light alloys will also be produced.Read moreRead less
Computer Modelling of the Morphology and Crystallography of Diffusion-controlled Phase Transformations. An analytical, phenomenological version of the successful "edge-to edge" matching approach to the morphology and crystallography of diffusion-controlled phase transformations will be developed. This will be incorporated in a Windows based computer program that can predict the essential features of precipitation (orientation relationships, habit planes, morphology and interface structure), fro ....Computer Modelling of the Morphology and Crystallography of Diffusion-controlled Phase Transformations. An analytical, phenomenological version of the successful "edge-to edge" matching approach to the morphology and crystallography of diffusion-controlled phase transformations will be developed. This will be incorporated in a Windows based computer program that can predict the essential features of precipitation (orientation relationships, habit planes, morphology and interface structure), from readily available input data for the two phases involved. It will provide a fuller understanding of diffusion-controlled phase transformations and the computer simulation will assist in the development of improved precipitation hardening alloys. In addition, a database of crystallographic data for typical metallic materials will be established in the project.Read moreRead less
Development of corrosion resistant aluminium alloys for potable water systems. Maintaining Australia's operational advantage through superior capabilities is fundamental to national benefit. This project fosters breakthrough science to underpin technological innovation (new materials with enhanced functionality). In a global market, any promotion of aluminium usage provides direct benefit nationally, Australia being the key primary, secondary and tertiary producer. Aluminium exports are critical ....Development of corrosion resistant aluminium alloys for potable water systems. Maintaining Australia's operational advantage through superior capabilities is fundamental to national benefit. This project fosters breakthrough science to underpin technological innovation (new materials with enhanced functionality). In a global market, any promotion of aluminium usage provides direct benefit nationally, Australia being the key primary, secondary and tertiary producer. Aluminium exports are critical to the ongoing success of the Australian economy. This project provides excellent research training with unique industry focus for young researchers, fostering the international competitiveness of local research. Such work also benefits Australia via development of international capability in an interdisciplinary field.Read moreRead less
Fundamental understanding of the environmental factors essential for environmental assisted fracture (EAF) of cast magnesium alloys. This project proposes a combined theoretical and experimental approach to understand the key environmental factors causing EAF of commercial cast magnesium alloys. Rather than testing all possibilities, it is proposed to establish a mechanistic understanding for EAF, and to test and expand that understanding through key experiments. EAF is a particularly dangerous ....Fundamental understanding of the environmental factors essential for environmental assisted fracture (EAF) of cast magnesium alloys. This project proposes a combined theoretical and experimental approach to understand the key environmental factors causing EAF of commercial cast magnesium alloys. Rather than testing all possibilities, it is proposed to establish a mechanistic understanding for EAF, and to test and expand that understanding through key experiments. EAF is a particularly dangerous and complicated form of corrosion. Existing experience indicates that EAF incidence will increase as magnesium alloys are increasingly used in more challenging applications. The results and insights from this research will help to underpin a major new industry and industrial applications.Read moreRead less
Ductile Bulk Metallic Glass Composites. Structural materials are the basic building blocks of modern society, even a small advancement can have a strong impact on our society. The properties of steel have been pushed close to the limit. The development of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) offers the opportunity to revolutionize the field of structural materials with strengths 3 or 4 time that of steel. The proposed project, aims to overcome the major technical barrier for BMGs of insufficient ductili ....Ductile Bulk Metallic Glass Composites. Structural materials are the basic building blocks of modern society, even a small advancement can have a strong impact on our society. The properties of steel have been pushed close to the limit. The development of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) offers the opportunity to revolutionize the field of structural materials with strengths 3 or 4 time that of steel. The proposed project, aims to overcome the major technical barrier for BMGs of insufficient ductility. The development of ductile and high strength BMGs, will position Australia and its researchers at the forefront of this exciting material innovation. The project will develop and strengthen Australia's international research linkages with overseas centres of excellence.Read moreRead less
New Mg-based hydrogen storage material with destabilised hydrides. This project will develop a new magnesium-based hydrogen storage material for applications such as hydrogen-powered automobiles. Clean energy is a global challenge to reduce greenhouse emissions. Safe storage of hydrogen is a key barrier to the widespread implementation of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. Magnesium is amongst the few materials able to meet the requirements for effective, safe, light-weight and cheap hydrogen s ....New Mg-based hydrogen storage material with destabilised hydrides. This project will develop a new magnesium-based hydrogen storage material for applications such as hydrogen-powered automobiles. Clean energy is a global challenge to reduce greenhouse emissions. Safe storage of hydrogen is a key barrier to the widespread implementation of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. Magnesium is amongst the few materials able to meet the requirements for effective, safe, light-weight and cheap hydrogen storage. Light metals is a priority area for Australia with our large resources of aluminium and magnesium. Magnesium-based hydrogen storage could create a huge market for Australian magnesium and hydrogen storage systems. Read moreRead less
Optimising the Formability of Strip-Cast Low Carbon Steel. Recent advances in strip casting of low carbon steel have the potential for producing formable sheet products at a fraction of the cost of conventional slab casting and secondary processing. The aim of the project is to develop a deeper understanding of the effect of solidification microstructure of strip-cast steel on the development of microstructure and texture following cold rolling and annealing in an attempt to improve the formabi ....Optimising the Formability of Strip-Cast Low Carbon Steel. Recent advances in strip casting of low carbon steel have the potential for producing formable sheet products at a fraction of the cost of conventional slab casting and secondary processing. The aim of the project is to develop a deeper understanding of the effect of solidification microstructure of strip-cast steel on the development of microstructure and texture following cold rolling and annealing in an attempt to improve the formability of the final strip product. The project is also expected to produce an outstanding Australian researcher relevant to industry with expertise in ferrous physical metallurgy.Read moreRead less