Ultra-lightweight alloys with unique multi-dimensional property profiles. Lightweight alloys with high specific-strength are an essential prerequisite in modern and future technologies. To be useful, they must also possess ductility and inherent corrosion resistance. The latter two properties, however, are inversely correlated with strength. This project proposes to break this paradox - not only in terms of a paradigm change regarding multi-property alloy design - but as applied to the most ligh ....Ultra-lightweight alloys with unique multi-dimensional property profiles. Lightweight alloys with high specific-strength are an essential prerequisite in modern and future technologies. To be useful, they must also possess ductility and inherent corrosion resistance. The latter two properties, however, are inversely correlated with strength. This project proposes to break this paradox - not only in terms of a paradigm change regarding multi-property alloy design - but as applied to the most lightweight engineering alloy system in existence, Magnesium-Lithium (Mg-Li), for which the impact on specific properties is immense. The aim is to develop ultra-lightweight Mg-Li based alloys with formidable property profiles via alloy design and thermomechanical processing. The expected outcome is a new class of structural corrosion resistant metal.Read moreRead less
Crystallography to deform and anneal metals. This project aims to study how the micromechanisms of plastic deformation affect the annealing behaviour of metals. This project will create a computational platform built on a reconstruction algorithm for three-dimensionally reconstructing experimentally-derived orientation data to generate the complete microstructure of crystalline material. It will reconstruct complex deformation and recrystallising structures in metals, through to the boundaries, ....Crystallography to deform and anneal metals. This project aims to study how the micromechanisms of plastic deformation affect the annealing behaviour of metals. This project will create a computational platform built on a reconstruction algorithm for three-dimensionally reconstructing experimentally-derived orientation data to generate the complete microstructure of crystalline material. It will reconstruct complex deformation and recrystallising structures in metals, through to the boundaries, phases and interfaces present in metals and ceramics. The intended outcome is the explanation of unresolved phenomena associated with thermomechanical processing of metals and alloys, useful for materials science, structural geology and condensed matter physics.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100003
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,000.00
Summary
Flexible forming facility for low cost light weight applications. Flexible forming facility for low-cost light-weight applications: This project will establish Australia’s first flexible roll forming facility. The facility will be unique in the world, being specifically designed to roll form the most advanced high strength alloys into complex three-dimensional shapes and investigate their material behaviour under a wide range of loading conditions. This technology represents a step change in com ....Flexible forming facility for low cost light weight applications. Flexible forming facility for low-cost light-weight applications: This project will establish Australia’s first flexible roll forming facility. The facility will be unique in the world, being specifically designed to roll form the most advanced high strength alloys into complex three-dimensional shapes and investigate their material behaviour under a wide range of loading conditions. This technology represents a step change in commercial processing and has the capacity to form materials with high strength and limited ductility. This will lead to the development of new techniques for the manufacture of new advanced materials including advanced high strength steels, composites, nano structured metals and light metal alloys for automotive and aerospace applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100123
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,000.00
Summary
Quench and deformation dilatometer for studying phase transformations. Quench and deformation dilatometer for studying phase transformations: The quenching and deformation dilatometer is a high precision thermal analysis tool used to measure phase transformations in situ. This technique can make time-resolved measurements of transformations under the extreme conditions of heating, cooling and deformation that are experienced during industrial processing. This instrument will be the only one in A ....Quench and deformation dilatometer for studying phase transformations. Quench and deformation dilatometer for studying phase transformations: The quenching and deformation dilatometer is a high precision thermal analysis tool used to measure phase transformations in situ. This technique can make time-resolved measurements of transformations under the extreme conditions of heating, cooling and deformation that are experienced during industrial processing. This instrument will be the only one in Australia capable of temperature changes above 2000 degrees Celsius and will also be the only one equipped with a cryogenic module. The instrument is intended to be used to characterise new processing technologies and new alloy systems such as advanced high strength steels, age hardenable magnesium, high entropy alloys, and cluster hardening aluminium alloys.Read moreRead less
Rapid process development for the assembly of lightweight metal components. This project aims to develop a new quality monitoring system and inverse method for identifying parameters of welding structures for automotive applications. The outcomes may assist automotive industries in improving process quality management and product performance of weld structures.
Flexible roll forming of advanced high strength steel sheet . This project will develop light weight automotive components to assist fuel economy and crash worthiness through flexible roll forming. This process has the potential to form complex shapes from very high strength steels in a very cost effective and efficient small scale operation, highly suited to Australian manufacturing.
Multimodal nanostructured metals and alloys with high tensile ductility and strength. This project will develop a new class of advanced multimodal nanostructured materials that have high tensile ductility, strength, and excellent fracture toughness. This work is important for the transportation industry as the new materials provide potential in creating lightweight structures, leading to the reduction of carbon dioxide emission.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101759
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,720.00
Summary
A novel fundamental approach to enable net shape manufacturing of low-cost high-performance titanium alloys . Oxygen is the bottleneck issue of titanium powder metallurgy, which radically deteriorates the ductility of titanium. This project aims to develop the essential fundamental knowledge and technical solutions to mitigate the detrimental effect of oxygen on the ductility of as-sintered titanium products and enable the net-shape fabrication of low-cost high-performance titanium alloys. This ....A novel fundamental approach to enable net shape manufacturing of low-cost high-performance titanium alloys . Oxygen is the bottleneck issue of titanium powder metallurgy, which radically deteriorates the ductility of titanium. This project aims to develop the essential fundamental knowledge and technical solutions to mitigate the detrimental effect of oxygen on the ductility of as-sintered titanium products and enable the net-shape fabrication of low-cost high-performance titanium alloys. This will be achieved by utilising the inexpensive and unique titanium hydride powder, rather than titanium metal powder, and by developing effective oxygen scavengers. The outcomes will form a robust basis for the creation of a viable titanium hydride powder metallurgy business.Read moreRead less
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.
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.