New Wrought Magnesium Alloys: Manipulating the Annealed Microstructure. One of the main impediments to increased use of wrought magnesium is its characteristic but mediocre mechanical properties. The proposed work paves the way for new improved wrought magnesium alloys by determining how the constituent nano-structures, micro-structures and deformation conditions can be manipulated to control the evolution of properties during annealing. The project will deliver mathematical models describing th ....New Wrought Magnesium Alloys: Manipulating the Annealed Microstructure. One of the main impediments to increased use of wrought magnesium is its characteristic but mediocre mechanical properties. The proposed work paves the way for new improved wrought magnesium alloys by determining how the constituent nano-structures, micro-structures and deformation conditions can be manipulated to control the evolution of properties during annealing. The project will deliver mathematical models describing the annealed microstructure and mechanical properties. The work will also explore the potential of a recent discovery made by the CI of a simple technique to randomise the alignment of the annealed atomic lattice structure, which promises to markedly improve formability.Read moreRead less
Modelling twinning transitions in light metals: a new foundation for alloy and process development. Australia's quest to become a world leader in light metals technology is being held back by a lack of quantitative understanding of the metallurgical behaviour of magnesium, which is the lightest engineering metal, and titanium, which is the strongest light metal. In particular, there is poor knowledge of the influence of material parameters on deformation twinning. This knowledge is vital for eff ....Modelling twinning transitions in light metals: a new foundation for alloy and process development. Australia's quest to become a world leader in light metals technology is being held back by a lack of quantitative understanding of the metallurgical behaviour of magnesium, which is the lightest engineering metal, and titanium, which is the strongest light metal. In particular, there is poor knowledge of the influence of material parameters on deformation twinning. This knowledge is vital for efficient production and optimised alloy and part design. This proposal aims to develop a quantitative understanding of transitions in twinning activation for improved performance in fatigue, crash behaviour, structural integrity, forming, forging, extruding, hot rolling and annealing.Read moreRead less
ENHANCED PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMOTIVE SHEET ALLOYS VIA CONTROL OF COMPOSITION, THERMAL PROCESSING AND NANOSTRUCTURE. This project involves characterisation using modern facilities of the form and identity of atomic-scale clusters of alloying elements in selected automotive sheet alloys that have been subjected to single and multiple ageing treatments and examination and modelling of deformation mechanisms and behaviour in such alloys. The aim is to establish the precise role of clusters of solute a ....ENHANCED PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMOTIVE SHEET ALLOYS VIA CONTROL OF COMPOSITION, THERMAL PROCESSING AND NANOSTRUCTURE. This project involves characterisation using modern facilities of the form and identity of atomic-scale clusters of alloying elements in selected automotive sheet alloys that have been subjected to single and multiple ageing treatments and examination and modelling of deformation mechanisms and behaviour in such alloys. The aim is to establish the precise role of clusters of solute atoms and vacancies in the formation of precipitate phases that control the final strength and deformation behaviour of the alloys, and to provide useful guidelines for further improvements in strength of these alloys via the control of alloy composition and of multiple ageing treatments.Read moreRead less
A Microstructure Based Approach to Steel Design for Improved Crash Performance. There is a continual need for the automotive industry to develop vehicles with increased fuel efficiency and safety. This research will establish how different types of new advanced steels can contribute to improved crash worthiness, while also helping to increase fuel efficiency through lighter weight. This will lead to the development of new steels that offer even better crash performance while also providing more ....A Microstructure Based Approach to Steel Design for Improved Crash Performance. There is a continual need for the automotive industry to develop vehicles with increased fuel efficiency and safety. This research will establish how different types of new advanced steels can contribute to improved crash worthiness, while also helping to increase fuel efficiency through lighter weight. This will lead to the development of new steels that offer even better crash performance while also providing more realistic computer models for car designers.Read moreRead less
Development of a Superplastic Forming Capabilities in Magnesium-Based Alloys through Processing using Severe Plastic Deformation. This research will provide a basis for advancing the structural use of magnesium alloys in the building and transportation industries. It is anticipated the project will lower the cost of producing lightweight structures and extend the range of alloys that can be used in such applications. With the growing magnesium industry in Australia, and with the potential for Au ....Development of a Superplastic Forming Capabilities in Magnesium-Based Alloys through Processing using Severe Plastic Deformation. This research will provide a basis for advancing the structural use of magnesium alloys in the building and transportation industries. It is anticipated the project will lower the cost of producing lightweight structures and extend the range of alloys that can be used in such applications. With the growing magnesium industry in Australia, and with the potential for Australia to become a major world supplier of magnesium, the development of advanced processing technology for magnesium-based alloys is of national importance. The project will play a vital role in strengthening the Australian technological position and increasing the opportunities for professional Australians.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
MICROFORMING: effects of microstructural scale on metal formability. Microforming is a rapidly growing industry, and already enjoys considerable activity in Germany, Japan, the US, and Korea, all of which are major trading partners of Australia. This project couples fundamental insight into the effects of microstructural and geometric scale with the frontier technology of microforming. Thus, the project will place Australian researchers at the frontier of microforming research, with the capacity ....MICROFORMING: effects of microstructural scale on metal formability. Microforming is a rapidly growing industry, and already enjoys considerable activity in Germany, Japan, the US, and Korea, all of which are major trading partners of Australia. This project couples fundamental insight into the effects of microstructural and geometric scale with the frontier technology of microforming. Thus, the project will place Australian researchers at the frontier of microforming research, with the capacity to be involved in shaping the industry. In the course of this work, new process routes will be developed, new materials may be created, and new opportunities will certainly emerge.Read moreRead less
Corrosion Resistance of Nanocrystalline Materials. Novel structure and the associated unique properties of nanostructured materials confer potentials for their exciting industrial applications, such as drug delivery to specified locations for cancer treatment, exceptionally high sensitivity sensors, miniaturisation in computers/electronic/communication industry, nano electro-mechanical systems, catalytic applications and exceptionally high strength materials. In most of the applications, the nan ....Corrosion Resistance of Nanocrystalline Materials. Novel structure and the associated unique properties of nanostructured materials confer potentials for their exciting industrial applications, such as drug delivery to specified locations for cancer treatment, exceptionally high sensitivity sensors, miniaturisation in computers/electronic/communication industry, nano electro-mechanical systems, catalytic applications and exceptionally high strength materials. In most of the applications, the nanomaterials have to demonstrate acceptable corrosion resistance in the operation environment. However, corrosion resistance of nanostructured materials has not been investigated. The proposal will investigate the mechanistic aspect of localized corrosion and cracking of nanostructured materials.Read moreRead less
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
High-resolution in situ annealing studies of sub-micron grain structures. The proposed research is an extension of considerable ongoing collaboration between the applicants and will utilise advanced characterisation techniques to provide a more fundamental understanding than that presently available of the thermal stability of particle-containing nanocrystalline alloys. The project will reinforce the strong collaboration between our research groups and will expose Australian researchers to cutti ....High-resolution in situ annealing studies of sub-micron grain structures. The proposed research is an extension of considerable ongoing collaboration between the applicants and will utilise advanced characterisation techniques to provide a more fundamental understanding than that presently available of the thermal stability of particle-containing nanocrystalline alloys. The project will reinforce the strong collaboration between our research groups and will expose Australian researchers to cutting-edge research techniques, with particular emphasis on broadening the training experience of early career researchers. Several joint journal papers are expected from this work.
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