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
Intelligent Modelling of Thin Strip Rolling. The main aim of this project is to develop an integrated model which incorporates asymmetric rolling, dynamics of strip-roll interface and intelligent control of strip gauge. The innovation of the project includes the intelligent modelling of thin strip rolling with high precision and strip-roll interface dynamics. The expected outcomes are technical recommendations on optimum speed differential between the top and bottom work rolls under different fr ....Intelligent Modelling of Thin Strip Rolling. The main aim of this project is to develop an integrated model which incorporates asymmetric rolling, dynamics of strip-roll interface and intelligent control of strip gauge. The innovation of the project includes the intelligent modelling of thin strip rolling with high precision and strip-roll interface dynamics. The expected outcomes are technical recommendations on optimum speed differential between the top and bottom work rolls under different friction and lubrication conditions, a model of neural networks/fuzzy logic to control accurately strip gauge and cross shear rolling and a verification of the developed model at the University of Wollongong and Tokyo Metropolitan University.Read moreRead less
Mechanics of Thin Strip Steering in Hot Rolling. The main aim of this project is to model the strip steering in hot rolling. The innovation of the project is the application of a meshless finite element method (FEM) to simulate the snaking of strip at high rolling speed between rolling mill stands, which has not been applied for this problem. The expected outcome is a comprehensive simulation model that can predict accurately the strip shape and the snaking of strip,identify the parameters that ....Mechanics of Thin Strip Steering in Hot Rolling. The main aim of this project is to model the strip steering in hot rolling. The innovation of the project is the application of a meshless finite element method (FEM) to simulate the snaking of strip at high rolling speed between rolling mill stands, which has not been applied for this problem. The expected outcome is a comprehensive simulation model that can predict accurately the strip shape and the snaking of strip,identify the parameters that cause snaking and to validate the effectiveness of the numerical model utilising the experimental rolling mills at UoW and NEU.Read moreRead less
Development of Knowledge Based Process Planning System for Non-Symmetrical Sheet Metal Forming Processes. Sheet metal and automotive industries need to continually improve their strategic competitive advantages with flexibility and cost-effectiveness to remain competitive in a changing world economy. In order to achieve this, the primary objective in the proposed research is to design and develop a knowledge-based process planning system for non-symmetrical products produced by deep drawing pro ....Development of Knowledge Based Process Planning System for Non-Symmetrical Sheet Metal Forming Processes. Sheet metal and automotive industries need to continually improve their strategic competitive advantages with flexibility and cost-effectiveness to remain competitive in a changing world economy. In order to achieve this, the primary objective in the proposed research is to design and develop a knowledge-based process planning system for non-symmetrical products produced by deep drawing processes. This objective will be achieved by investigating the effect of process variable on drawability of sheet material, by obtaining relevant process information through necessary experimentation and finite element analysis and by development of a rule base by acquiring process information from domain experts selected from number of sheet metal manufacturing industries.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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Green Machining of Powder Metallurgy Based Aluminium Composites. This project will initiate and establish a collaborative research program between Professor Wojciech Z. Misiolek of Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA, USA) and Professor Graham Schaffer at The University of Queensland. Professor Misiolek will spend an extended six month period at The University of Queensland. The specific aim of the project is to develop a method to machine aluminium composites in the green, or unsintered, state. Th ....Green Machining of Powder Metallurgy Based Aluminium Composites. This project will initiate and establish a collaborative research program between Professor Wojciech Z. Misiolek of Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA, USA) and Professor Graham Schaffer at The University of Queensland. Professor Misiolek will spend an extended six month period at The University of Queensland. The specific aim of the project is to develop a method to machine aluminium composites in the green, or unsintered, state. This will overcome a major impediment to the wider utilisation of aluminium matrix composites, which have an attractive combination of properties but cannot be formed into complex shapes using conventional processing methodologies.Read moreRead less
Development of Creep Resistant TiAl Alloys for High Temperature Structural Applications. TiAl based alloys are being developed as high temperature structural materials for aerospace and automotive applications and thus their creep resistance (long-term strength at elevated temperatures) is critical. This project aims at developing creep resistant TiAl alloys through a combination of addition of rare earth and severe plastic deformation. It is expected that a refined and stablised microstructure ....Development of Creep Resistant TiAl Alloys for High Temperature Structural Applications. TiAl based alloys are being developed as high temperature structural materials for aerospace and automotive applications and thus their creep resistance (long-term strength at elevated temperatures) is critical. This project aims at developing creep resistant TiAl alloys through a combination of addition of rare earth and severe plastic deformation. It is expected that a refined and stablised microstructure consisting of submicron lamellar grains and nanosized lamellae be obtained. This will result in a highly creep resistant prototype TiAl material and leads eventually to the development of commercial TiAl alloys.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
Design of Welded Steel Tubular Connections. Steel tubes are widely used in building, road transportation, defence, recreation, and agriculture industries. The proposed program will develop static design procedures for welded tubular connections to ensure safe and economic structures. The program will also investigate the behaviour of a popular tubular connection utilizing very high strength steel tubes to extend the existing design scope and enhance the utilization of Australian produced innovat ....Design of Welded Steel Tubular Connections. Steel tubes are widely used in building, road transportation, defence, recreation, and agriculture industries. The proposed program will develop static design procedures for welded tubular connections to ensure safe and economic structures. The program will also investigate the behaviour of a popular tubular connection utilizing very high strength steel tubes to extend the existing design scope and enhance the utilization of Australian produced innovative tubular sections. The notch toughness of steel tubes will also be investigated to avoid fracture failure of welded connections under dynamic loading. The program will build strong ongoing collaboration between University of Toronto and Monash University.Read moreRead less
Modelling of Nanostructuring of Bulk Metallic Materials by Severe Plastic Deformation. The use of ultrafine grained alloys is expected to lead to significant breakthroughs in relation to fuel-efficient cars, light weight/high strength designs in aerospace and structural applications, and bio-medical implants. It will provide a wider market for such metals and create niche applications in domestic and export manufacturing industry. The development of technologically viable processes of nanostruct ....Modelling of Nanostructuring of Bulk Metallic Materials by Severe Plastic Deformation. The use of ultrafine grained alloys is expected to lead to significant breakthroughs in relation to fuel-efficient cars, light weight/high strength designs in aerospace and structural applications, and bio-medical implants. It will provide a wider market for such metals and create niche applications in domestic and export manufacturing industry. The development of technologically viable processes of nanostructuring hinges on the fundamental understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of microstructure and texture development. The knowledge base to be developed through this project will bring Australia to the international forefront in the area of structural nanomaterials and prepare the ground for future frontier technologies. Read moreRead less