Fatigue thresholds, crack initiation and small crack growth phenomenon in uPVC, mPVC and Oriented PVC pipes. Unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) is currently used for water reticulation pipelines. These are subject to variable pressure which can lead to fatigue failures. Improved materials, modified PVC (mPVC) and oriented PVC (oPVC), are now entering this market. uPVC shows a fatigue threshold when prenotched samples are tested. The fatigue threshold is an important design concept since it r ....Fatigue thresholds, crack initiation and small crack growth phenomenon in uPVC, mPVC and Oriented PVC pipes. Unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) is currently used for water reticulation pipelines. These are subject to variable pressure which can lead to fatigue failures. Improved materials, modified PVC (mPVC) and oriented PVC (oPVC), are now entering this market. uPVC shows a fatigue threshold when prenotched samples are tested. The fatigue threshold is an important design concept since it represents the stress amplitude below which fatigue failures should not occur. Its existence in unnotched pipes and in the newer PVC materials is uncertain. This project will quantify fatigue thresholds and the mechanisms involved in crack initiation in uPVC , mPVC and oPVC.Read moreRead less
High performance thermoplastic starch polymer films for controlled barrier and delivery. This project will deliver state of the art developments in high performance sustainable plastics. Specifically the project will develop new biopolymers for high-performance applications, such as smart packaging, biomedical materials and drug delivery systems.
Development of PVC-Based Polymer Nanocomposites. The aim of the project is to develop a PVC polymer nanocomposite material to be used in water pipelines. It has been found that the inclusion of a nanoparticle phase, in this case calcium carbonate, leads to increases in strength, stiffness, toughness and abrasion resistance. This proposed project will develop and assess an optimum material in addition to investigating the mechanisms of deformation.
Tailored Biodegradable Polymers for Injection Moulding Applications. This project aims to engineer and scale up production of biodegradable injection molded products with tailored properties, processing and biodegradation. Specifically we will focus on novel materials and processing technologies in tandem with biodegradation understandings to expand the utilization of starch-based polymers. We will then combine fundamental rheological and polymer processing skills with and product development ex ....Tailored Biodegradable Polymers for Injection Moulding Applications. This project aims to engineer and scale up production of biodegradable injection molded products with tailored properties, processing and biodegradation. Specifically we will focus on novel materials and processing technologies in tandem with biodegradation understandings to expand the utilization of starch-based polymers. We will then combine fundamental rheological and polymer processing skills with and product development experience from both universities and the industrial partner (Plantic Technologies) to scale up processing and develop successful biodegradable products. This project will also enable an Australian owned start-up company with a broad shareholder base to generate significant export income through key commercialization.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel and practical method for fabricating carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites for automotive applications. An effective, economical and environmentally friendly technology will be developed by this project to fabricate carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites. The thus obtained products will be applied as automotive parts.
Modelling rheology and flow parameters of injection moulding of liquid crystal polymer materials. Australian company Moldflow is a world leader in the modelling and simulation of injection moulding plastic parts, yet its sophisticated software is inadequate for liquid crystalline polymers. This research aims to redress this by appropriate rheological study of these materials, incorporating suitable rheological model in the simulation and by experimental validation. The benefit will be new know ....Modelling rheology and flow parameters of injection moulding of liquid crystal polymer materials. Australian company Moldflow is a world leader in the modelling and simulation of injection moulding plastic parts, yet its sophisticated software is inadequate for liquid crystalline polymers. This research aims to redress this by appropriate rheological study of these materials, incorporating suitable rheological model in the simulation and by experimental validation. The benefit will be new knowledge of the injection moulding process, enhancement of Australia's scientific reputation in this field, extension of the Moldflow software to a wider polymer range, new markets nationally and internationally, competitive edge of the improved software and contribution to national economy due to new business.Read moreRead less
Novel Waterborne Multifunctional Sealer for Asphalt Pavement. One of the long-term challenges and most serious problems faced by the asphalt surfacing and road construction industry is the rapid deterioration of asphaltic surfaces to the extent that they become unfit/unsafe for use in short time. The length of the Australian local government road system is approximately 810,000 kilometres and currently approximately $2,460 million/year is spent on road maintenance; the replacement value of ....Novel Waterborne Multifunctional Sealer for Asphalt Pavement. One of the long-term challenges and most serious problems faced by the asphalt surfacing and road construction industry is the rapid deterioration of asphaltic surfaces to the extent that they become unfit/unsafe for use in short time. The length of the Australian local government road system is approximately 810,000 kilometres and currently approximately $2,460 million/year is spent on road maintenance; the replacement value of the road asset exceeds $106,000 million. Thus providing satisfactory tough protective shield on asphalt pavements that locks out destructive elements and provide long-term protection is of enormous economic importance and national/community benefit.Read moreRead less
Development of Advanced Polymers from Recycled Industrial Plastics for Replacement of Virgin Resins. The main objective of this research program is to develop strategies and techniques to develop advanced polymeric materials obtained from recycled industrial plastics for replacement of virgin resins in industrial packaging. Studies show that only a very small amount of such plastic is reclaimed after industrial use. The research will include a comprehensive study of the life cycle of the indus ....Development of Advanced Polymers from Recycled Industrial Plastics for Replacement of Virgin Resins. The main objective of this research program is to develop strategies and techniques to develop advanced polymeric materials obtained from recycled industrial plastics for replacement of virgin resins in industrial packaging. Studies show that only a very small amount of such plastic is reclaimed after industrial use. The research will include a comprehensive study of the life cycle of the industrial packaging products, development of new blends of the recycled resins, and the application of these blends to manufacture good quality injection moulded and blow moulded products including new plastic pails and containers for industrial use.Read moreRead less
Novel Nano Particles for Advanced Automotive and Industrial Coatings. In conjunction with our industrial partner (DuPont Australia), this project will develop a new generation of automotive and industrial coatings. The technology developed from this project can integrate into the existing system. The new coatings will be environmentally friendly and will make a significant contribution to solve the emission issue of volatile organic compound (VOC) faced by the industry. The novel nano particles ....Novel Nano Particles for Advanced Automotive and Industrial Coatings. In conjunction with our industrial partner (DuPont Australia), this project will develop a new generation of automotive and industrial coatings. The technology developed from this project can integrate into the existing system. The new coatings will be environmentally friendly and will make a significant contribution to solve the emission issue of volatile organic compound (VOC) faced by the industry. The novel nano particles developed from this project will provide unique properties for automotive paint and can be commercialized at an acceptable price. The science involved in this project represents the cutting edge of world leading technology and will bring polymer science into a new field.Read moreRead less
Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. This project aims to understand the process of starch-mineral surface interactions, and design and develop tailored starch depressant/flocculant biopolymers for mineral beneficiation via the froth flotation process. Natural and modified starches are used as depressants and flocculants in mineral flotation, but scientists lack knowledge of mechanisms describing s ....Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. This project aims to understand the process of starch-mineral surface interactions, and design and develop tailored starch depressant/flocculant biopolymers for mineral beneficiation via the froth flotation process. Natural and modified starches are used as depressants and flocculants in mineral flotation, but scientists lack knowledge of mechanisms describing starch-mineral surface interactions, particularly how they process base metal sulphides. This project also intends to develop starch characterisation techniques and novel methods for modifying starch structures and functionalities. Anticipated outcomes are new novel manufacturing applications for starch in Australia.Read moreRead less