The design of new die-castable bulk metallic glasses exhibiting superior mechanical performance. 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 new types of net-shape-processed amorphous alloys with an excellent combination of properties.
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
High performance ultrasonically processed biodegradable alloy products. This project aims to develop new alloy processing technology to improve the material properties of biodegradable products such as plates, microclips and wound-closing devices. The project aims to understand and model the role of external fields such as ultrasonic treatment in the development of microstructure, including grain nucleation and formation processes, in biodegradable magnesium alloy components. The project plans t ....High performance ultrasonically processed biodegradable alloy products. This project aims to develop new alloy processing technology to improve the material properties of biodegradable products such as plates, microclips and wound-closing devices. The project aims to understand and model the role of external fields such as ultrasonic treatment in the development of microstructure, including grain nucleation and formation processes, in biodegradable magnesium alloy components. The project plans to fabricate and evaluate the performance of medical devices incorporating ultrasonically processed alloy products. Project outcomes are intended to be used to optimise the application of external fields for property and processing improvement.Read moreRead less
Development of mechanically strong, ultrasonically processed, nanoparticle-embedded Pb-free soldered electronic interconnects and Al-Si brazed joints. This project aims to combine recent advances in understanding grain refinement during solidification with novel techniques of microstructure control through the application of external stimuli during processing and the addition of nanoparticle master alloys. This approach aims to enable the manufacture of fine-grained high performance products. Th ....Development of mechanically strong, ultrasonically processed, nanoparticle-embedded Pb-free soldered electronic interconnects and Al-Si brazed joints. This project aims to combine recent advances in understanding grain refinement during solidification with novel techniques of microstructure control through the application of external stimuli during processing and the addition of nanoparticle master alloys. This approach aims to enable the manufacture of fine-grained high performance products. The research is intended to be applied to soldering and brazing operations for improved behaviour during manufacturing and increased reliability. The involvement of a major global supplier of alloys to the electronics sector aims to facilitate the application of the research in the development of advanced products suitable for incorporation into next-generation electrical devices.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
SYNCHROTRON MICROPROBE METALLURGICAL CASE STUDIES. The micro-focus capabilities of synchrotron techniques (XRF, XRD, XAS) will enable the high resolution spatial correlations required to advance the understanding of the three systems to be studied:
- Activation for flotation of sphalerite with varying iron contents;
- Arsenic leaching as a function of local structure, phase and mineral assemblage;
- Optimisation of ferrous alloy microstructure on cryogenic treatment.
These case studies have ....SYNCHROTRON MICROPROBE METALLURGICAL CASE STUDIES. The micro-focus capabilities of synchrotron techniques (XRF, XRD, XAS) will enable the high resolution spatial correlations required to advance the understanding of the three systems to be studied:
- Activation for flotation of sphalerite with varying iron contents;
- Arsenic leaching as a function of local structure, phase and mineral assemblage;
- Optimisation of ferrous alloy microstructure on cryogenic treatment.
These case studies have been chosen to specifically target the minerals processing and manufacturing industrial sectors and will be used to increase industrial awareness of the potentials of synchrotron techniques prior to the commissioning of the Australian Synchrotron in 2007.
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A Distributed Virtual Factory in Agile Manufacturing. The aim of this research is to develop an Intelligent Distributed Virtual Factory consisting of several distributed precise simulation models connected by several synchronisation mechanisms named Time Bucket algorithms. Intelligent Distributed Virtual Factory will then be applied into precise evaluations of the whole manufacturing system under two major types of manufacturing operational logics, PULL and PUSH methods.
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
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
Slag Entrainment and Dispersion in Continuous Slab Casting. Australia's steel industry employs 75,000 people and has an annual turnover in excess of $21 billion. However, it produces less than 8 million tonnes of steel per annum which is approximately 7 percent of the world's production. Australia does not have the economies of scale and to be competitive, must invest heavily in new technology and have best workplace practices to generate products that are superior to low cost competitors. This ....Slag Entrainment and Dispersion in Continuous Slab Casting. Australia's steel industry employs 75,000 people and has an annual turnover in excess of $21 billion. However, it produces less than 8 million tonnes of steel per annum which is approximately 7 percent of the world's production. Australia does not have the economies of scale and to be competitive, must invest heavily in new technology and have best workplace practices to generate products that are superior to low cost competitors. This project is focussed on improving product quality through invention of new equipment which also overcomes current operational practices and creates a safer working environment. Read moreRead less