Ultra-lightweight alloys with unique multi-dimensional property profiles. Lightweight alloys with high specific-strength are an essential prerequisite in modern and future technologies. To be useful, they must also possess ductility and inherent corrosion resistance. The latter two properties, however, are inversely correlated with strength. This project proposes to break this paradox - not only in terms of a paradigm change regarding multi-property alloy design - but as applied to the most ligh ....Ultra-lightweight alloys with unique multi-dimensional property profiles. Lightweight alloys with high specific-strength are an essential prerequisite in modern and future technologies. To be useful, they must also possess ductility and inherent corrosion resistance. The latter two properties, however, are inversely correlated with strength. This project proposes to break this paradox - not only in terms of a paradigm change regarding multi-property alloy design - but as applied to the most lightweight engineering alloy system in existence, Magnesium-Lithium (Mg-Li), for which the impact on specific properties is immense. The aim is to develop ultra-lightweight Mg-Li based alloys with formidable property profiles via alloy design and thermomechanical processing. The expected outcome is a new class of structural corrosion resistant metal.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346666
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,000.00
Summary
Mobile high power diode laser for thermal processing applications. This proposal seeks to establish a mobile, high-power diode laser facility for thermal processing of in-situ components in the power generation, defence, shipbuilding and mining industries. Diode lasers offer significant advantages for laser thermal processing over conventional CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers in terms of their output wavelength, size and efficiency. The mobile high power diode laser facility will help build a strong infr ....Mobile high power diode laser for thermal processing applications. This proposal seeks to establish a mobile, high-power diode laser facility for thermal processing of in-situ components in the power generation, defence, shipbuilding and mining industries. Diode lasers offer significant advantages for laser thermal processing over conventional CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers in terms of their output wavelength, size and efficiency. The mobile high power diode laser facility will help build a strong infrastructure for in-situ repair of worn components and is expected to reduce overall component repair costs and time.Read moreRead less
Dynamically responding metals: a new generation of engineering alloys. The manufacture of engineering metals is a major Australian industry and the worldwide metal manufacturing sector is estimated to be worth $1 trillion USD per annum. Advanced materials and, particularly the light metals, are both designated national research priority areas. The availability of new classes of metals with greatly improved combinations of properties will profoundly affect not only metal use by existing industry, ....Dynamically responding metals: a new generation of engineering alloys. The manufacture of engineering metals is a major Australian industry and the worldwide metal manufacturing sector is estimated to be worth $1 trillion USD per annum. Advanced materials and, particularly the light metals, are both designated national research priority areas. The availability of new classes of metals with greatly improved combinations of properties will profoundly affect not only metal use by existing industry, through the introduction of new, stronger and safer metal grades, but also allows for new engineering designs which will lead, for example, to lighter and more efficient automobiles and more sustainable construction.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100003
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,000.00
Summary
Flexible forming facility for low cost light weight applications. Flexible forming facility for low-cost light-weight applications: This project will establish Australia’s first flexible roll forming facility. The facility will be unique in the world, being specifically designed to roll form the most advanced high strength alloys into complex three-dimensional shapes and investigate their material behaviour under a wide range of loading conditions. This technology represents a step change in com ....Flexible forming facility for low cost light weight applications. Flexible forming facility for low-cost light-weight applications: This project will establish Australia’s first flexible roll forming facility. The facility will be unique in the world, being specifically designed to roll form the most advanced high strength alloys into complex three-dimensional shapes and investigate their material behaviour under a wide range of loading conditions. This technology represents a step change in commercial processing and has the capacity to form materials with high strength and limited ductility. This will lead to the development of new techniques for the manufacture of new advanced materials including advanced high strength steels, composites, nano structured metals and light metal alloys for automotive and aerospace applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100165
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
Thermal and mechanical simulation laboratory for light metals. The creation of a thermal and mechanical simulation laboratory for light metals will provide the critical infrastructure needed for generating new alloys and composites. This will extend Australia's competitive advantage in the design of better alloys for expanding applications in the construction, packaging, automotive and aerospace sectors.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100115
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,000.00
Summary
Facility for the development of new lightweight extruded alloys and structures. This will be Australia's only large-scale, research-dedicated extrusion facility. It is expected to lead to the development of new light metal alloys, metal-matrix composites, micro-truss structures and powder base metals for structural and biomedical applications.
ARC Centre of Excellence - Design in Light Metals. Under the national Light Metals Action Agenda, Australia recognizes a strategic interest in the production, processing and applications of the light metals, and a growth in global markets for light metals technology. Light metals research is a designated national priority, and this Centre will provide the national focus in strategic fundamental research, the critical level of investment and the level of innovation necessary to achieve competiti ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Design in Light Metals. Under the national Light Metals Action Agenda, Australia recognizes a strategic interest in the production, processing and applications of the light metals, and a growth in global markets for light metals technology. Light metals research is a designated national priority, and this Centre will provide the national focus in strategic fundamental research, the critical level of investment and the level of innovation necessary to achieve competitive advantage from an outstanding research base. As a major contributor to a strategic network of national research capabilities, it will underpin substantial developments in the light metals industry nationally and globally, and extend linkages with major research centres internationally.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100123
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,000.00
Summary
Quench and deformation dilatometer for studying phase transformations. Quench and deformation dilatometer for studying phase transformations: The quenching and deformation dilatometer is a high precision thermal analysis tool used to measure phase transformations in situ. This technique can make time-resolved measurements of transformations under the extreme conditions of heating, cooling and deformation that are experienced during industrial processing. This instrument will be the only one in A ....Quench and deformation dilatometer for studying phase transformations. Quench and deformation dilatometer for studying phase transformations: The quenching and deformation dilatometer is a high precision thermal analysis tool used to measure phase transformations in situ. This technique can make time-resolved measurements of transformations under the extreme conditions of heating, cooling and deformation that are experienced during industrial processing. This instrument will be the only one in Australia capable of temperature changes above 2000 degrees Celsius and will also be the only one equipped with a cryogenic module. The instrument is intended to be used to characterise new processing technologies and new alloy systems such as advanced high strength steels, age hardenable magnesium, high entropy alloys, and cluster hardening aluminium alloys.Read moreRead less
Design Strategy for Cold Roll Formed Products. Roll forming is a widely used metal forming technology in Australia. The demands for shorter lead times, more complex shapes, new high strength materials and more demanding markets such as the automotive industry, requires increased virtual engineering at the design stage. This project will develop the models and tools required to enable the industry to efficiently design robust roll configurations to meet current and future demands. The outcomes ....Design Strategy for Cold Roll Formed Products. Roll forming is a widely used metal forming technology in Australia. The demands for shorter lead times, more complex shapes, new high strength materials and more demanding markets such as the automotive industry, requires increased virtual engineering at the design stage. This project will develop the models and tools required to enable the industry to efficiently design robust roll configurations to meet current and future demands. The outcomes from this project will not only benefit the industry partners involved but the general Australian roll forming industry, opening up new markets and opportunities.Read moreRead less
Optimisation and Control of Bagasse Handling System in a Sugar Mill. Bagasse, the fibre residue from sugar cane, is used as fuel in suspension fired boilers for energy production for the sugar milling process. The use of bagasse as a fuel is currently gaining more prominence as the sugar industry looks to co-generation joint ventures with traditional electricity supply and generation authorities. This project is aimed at applying optimisation and control techniques to bagasse handling system in ....Optimisation and Control of Bagasse Handling System in a Sugar Mill. Bagasse, the fibre residue from sugar cane, is used as fuel in suspension fired boilers for energy production for the sugar milling process. The use of bagasse as a fuel is currently gaining more prominence as the sugar industry looks to co-generation joint ventures with traditional electricity supply and generation authorities. This project is aimed at applying optimisation and control techniques to bagasse handling system in a CSR sugar mill so that the fibre residue from sugar cane can be used to gain maximum efficiency in generating energy supplies in the sugar mill. If the project succeeds, other sugar mills from CSR would implement the advanced control system.Read moreRead less