Dynamic recrystallization and preferred orientation in ultra-thin steel-strip under conditions of fluctuating temperature and stress. We aim to develop a sound understanding of the origins of ridge-buckle defects in flat-rolled steel sheet and to train researchers in advanced techniques. By studying dynamic recrystallisation and texture formation, not of the bulk, but of isolated pockets of material within the bulk that are subject to fluctuating conditions of temperature and stress, defect form ....Dynamic recrystallization and preferred orientation in ultra-thin steel-strip under conditions of fluctuating temperature and stress. We aim to develop a sound understanding of the origins of ridge-buckle defects in flat-rolled steel sheet and to train researchers in advanced techniques. By studying dynamic recrystallisation and texture formation, not of the bulk, but of isolated pockets of material within the bulk that are subject to fluctuating conditions of temperature and stress, defect formation will be related to the intricate interplay between rolling dynamics and microstructural development. Through this new approach a scientifically founded quantitative model should emerge so that defect occurrence can be forecasted, preventative action predicted and industry's competitive position be retained. Read moreRead less
Crack Propagation within Graded Interfaces. Functionally graded interfaces are a technologically new way of joining materials in a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. The reduction in the interfacial stresses resulting from the graded interface increases the structural integrity of the component, however, existing models do not fully address issues of plasticity and cyclic fatigue to their fracture. The intention of this study is to investigate how modifications to the ductil ....Crack Propagation within Graded Interfaces. Functionally graded interfaces are a technologically new way of joining materials in a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. The reduction in the interfacial stresses resulting from the graded interface increases the structural integrity of the component, however, existing models do not fully address issues of plasticity and cyclic fatigue to their fracture. The intention of this study is to investigate how modifications to the ductile reinforcement phase and how the cyclic loading influence crack extension within a graded interface. These results will assist in future design and prediction of the in-service lifetime of components containing gradient interfaces.Read moreRead less
Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transfo ....Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transformed to design and application guidelines for the materials engineers and scientists to develop innovative and structurally/functionally reliable ferroelectromagnetic composites and their various devices and products.Read moreRead less
Cyclic Fatigue Mechanisms in New Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics. Piezoceramics are an important component in many items in modern day Australian life. However, they present a growing environmental concern, particularly for disposal, because they contain lead oxide and must often be disposed of prematurely due to component failure. Furthermore, many key Australian industries manufacture and use piezoceramics in fields ranging from mineral exploration, to imaging to biomedical devices. This proj ....Cyclic Fatigue Mechanisms in New Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics. Piezoceramics are an important component in many items in modern day Australian life. However, they present a growing environmental concern, particularly for disposal, because they contain lead oxide and must often be disposed of prematurely due to component failure. Furthermore, many key Australian industries manufacture and use piezoceramics in fields ranging from mineral exploration, to imaging to biomedical devices. This project will enable the development of lead-free alternatives to current materials and more reliable materials which will reduce the need for waste disposal.Read moreRead less
Development of Cyclic Fatigue Degradation Criteria for Piezoelectric Ceramic Components. Piezoelectric ceramics are widely used in advanced engineering applications such as actuators in the automotive industry, sonars for submarine mineral exploration and defence, and a broad range of medical devices, e.g. ultrasound probes. The reliable operational lifetime of these devices is, however, severely limited because they suffer cyclic fatigue leading to both degradation in performance and device fai ....Development of Cyclic Fatigue Degradation Criteria for Piezoelectric Ceramic Components. Piezoelectric ceramics are widely used in advanced engineering applications such as actuators in the automotive industry, sonars for submarine mineral exploration and defence, and a broad range of medical devices, e.g. ultrasound probes. The reliable operational lifetime of these devices is, however, severely limited because they suffer cyclic fatigue leading to both degradation in performance and device failure. The proposed project seeks to develop an understanding of the mechanisms of fatigue and develop a design model for engineers such that piezoelectric ceramic devices can be operated for longer periods with higher levels of reliability.Read moreRead less
Improving the ductility of amorphous alloys via severe plastic deformation. Amorphous alloys are the strongest metallic materials. However, the brittle nature of the materials has significantly limited their applicability in reliability-critical structural applications. Despite significant worldwide efforts, improvement of the ductility has been limited to amorphous alloys with only a few specific compositions. This project aims to develop a universal approach to substantially enhancing the duct ....Improving the ductility of amorphous alloys via severe plastic deformation. Amorphous alloys are the strongest metallic materials. However, the brittle nature of the materials has significantly limited their applicability in reliability-critical structural applications. Despite significant worldwide efforts, improvement of the ductility has been limited to amorphous alloys with only a few specific compositions. This project aims to develop a universal approach to substantially enhancing the ductility of amorphous alloys through the application of severe plastic deformation, to explore the effect of severe plastic deformation on structure, and to reveal the fundamental mechanisms of the mechanical behaviour of amorphous alloys. The results are expected to enable structural design of amorphous alloys with excellent ductility.Read moreRead less
Novel multiscale fibre composites for cryogenic space technologies. This project aims to develop new composite materials technologies for cryogenic space applications. Multifunctional nanomaterials with negative thermal expansion properties will be developed to simultaneously reduce thermal stress and improve fracture toughness, suppressing microcracking of fibre composites observed in current materials at cryogenic temperatures. New interleaves will be developed to act as gas barriers and provi ....Novel multiscale fibre composites for cryogenic space technologies. This project aims to develop new composite materials technologies for cryogenic space applications. Multifunctional nanomaterials with negative thermal expansion properties will be developed to simultaneously reduce thermal stress and improve fracture toughness, suppressing microcracking of fibre composites observed in current materials at cryogenic temperatures. New interleaves will be developed to act as gas barriers and provide strength. The composites will provide a new lightweight solution for storing cryogenic propellants such as liquid hydrogen and oxygen, for the next generation re-usable spacecraft. The outcomes of this project will enable Australian companies to produce and export specialised, high-performance composite products.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100053
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Quantitatively probing the nanoscale plasticity of a single grain boundary. This project aims to study grain boundaries, which are important in the mechanical behaviour of nanomaterials. However, the exact contribution of individual grain boundaries to mechanical properties is not well understood, affecting advanced materials design. This project will use in-situ deformation transmission electron microscopy techniques to reveal how individual grain boundaries deform and interact with dislocation ....Quantitatively probing the nanoscale plasticity of a single grain boundary. This project aims to study grain boundaries, which are important in the mechanical behaviour of nanomaterials. However, the exact contribution of individual grain boundaries to mechanical properties is not well understood, affecting advanced materials design. This project will use in-situ deformation transmission electron microscopy techniques to reveal how individual grain boundaries deform and interact with dislocations, and to link directly the structures and orientation of individual grain boundaries with mechanical behaviours. Expected results are better structural design of advanced metallic nanomaterials with superior mechanical performance.Read moreRead less
The effect of structure and size on the mechanical behaviour of III-V semiconductor nanowires. The project aims to apply in-situ deformation transmission electron microscopy to investigate the mechanical behaviour of compound semiconductor nanowires and the effect of structure and geometry on the behaviour. The results will uncover the fundamental mechanical properties of nanowires and will guide the design of nanowire-based devices.