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
Development of new aluminium alloys through big data analytics. This project aims to address a long-term problem to effectively discover new alloys and processes using big data analytics. It expects to develop new and high-performance aluminium alloys and to generate new knowledge in the area of materials science from investigation of the strengthening and toughening mechanisms. The intended outcomes also include a validated big data analytic model for new alloy development, which further enhan ....Development of new aluminium alloys through big data analytics. This project aims to address a long-term problem to effectively discover new alloys and processes using big data analytics. It expects to develop new and high-performance aluminium alloys and to generate new knowledge in the area of materials science from investigation of the strengthening and toughening mechanisms. The intended outcomes also include a validated big data analytic model for new alloy development, which further enhances the interdisciplinary collaboration. The high performance aluminium alloys should provide significant benefits to automotive and aerospace industries as these sectors target at improving fuel efficiency through weight reduction at lower cost.Read moreRead less
A new class of poly-amorphous alloy exhibiting outstanding damage tolerance. The most dramatic illustration of non-equilibrium processing of a metal is the formation of an amorphous solid that can possess physical and/or functional properties superior to its equilibrium crystalline counterpart. This project will generate a new class of highly processable amorphous metal with an unusual combination of mechanical properties.
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
Design of Cost-effective Compositionally Complex Alloys. This project aims to develop low-cost and corrosion resistant compositionally complex alloys and associated processes to concurrently achieve high strength and high toughness using an innovative design strategy. The project expects to overcome the major limitations of this new type of alloys, enabling their practical applications in industry, creating new knowledge of materials science. Expected outcomes include commercialisation ready ne ....Design of Cost-effective Compositionally Complex Alloys. This project aims to develop low-cost and corrosion resistant compositionally complex alloys and associated processes to concurrently achieve high strength and high toughness using an innovative design strategy. The project expects to overcome the major limitations of this new type of alloys, enabling their practical applications in industry, creating new knowledge of materials science. Expected outcomes include commercialisation ready new alloys, breakthrough fundamental understanding of the mechanisms and long-term institutional collaboration. This should provide significant benefits, such as enhancement of Australia’s capacity of alloy development and manufacturing and strengthening the country’s world leading position in this area.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
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
Theoretical model that predicts the grain size of alloys inoculated with micro- and nano- particle master alloys and cast under an external field. The aim of this project is to develop a theoretical model that predicts grain size when components are cast under the influence of external fields (electromagnetic, ultrasonic, pulsed electric current and melt shearing treatments) and with the addition of nano-particle master alloys. Refining microstructures by available master alloys is reaching a li ....Theoretical model that predicts the grain size of alloys inoculated with micro- and nano- particle master alloys and cast under an external field. The aim of this project is to develop a theoretical model that predicts grain size when components are cast under the influence of external fields (electromagnetic, ultrasonic, pulsed electric current and melt shearing treatments) and with the addition of nano-particle master alloys. Refining microstructures by available master alloys is reaching a limit and this limits further improvement in mechanical properties to meet the challenge of new applications requiring, for example, high temperature properties or light weighting (for example, use of less material). The outcomes will be a new theoretical model, validated numerical models, new casting technologies and highly refined alloys with greater than 25 per cent improvement in mechanical properties. 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
Mass transport in high entropy alloys. This project aims to understand mass transport in high entropy alloys. Alloys of 5 to 13 components have technologically attractive mechanical properties. A knowledge of mass transport could control their stabilities and optimise their properties. This project will develop an atomistic theory and a phenomenological method for rapidly performing experiments, and experiment on two key high entropy alloys. The outcome of this research will be an in-depth under ....Mass transport in high entropy alloys. This project aims to understand mass transport in high entropy alloys. Alloys of 5 to 13 components have technologically attractive mechanical properties. A knowledge of mass transport could control their stabilities and optimise their properties. This project will develop an atomistic theory and a phenomenological method for rapidly performing experiments, and experiment on two key high entropy alloys. The outcome of this research will be an in-depth understanding of mass transport that is expected to fast-track these alloys to commercial uptake.Read moreRead less