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.
Read moreRead less
The thermal stability of nanocrystalline alloys produced by severe plastic straining. An exciting class of materials has emerged with grain sizes two orders of magnitude finer than that produced by conventional processing. These nanocrystalline alloys are produced by intense plastic straining termed equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE). The aim of the project is to incorporate novel experimental techniques, using single crystals, in situ annealing and 3-D computer simulation to develop a fun ....The thermal stability of nanocrystalline alloys produced by severe plastic straining. An exciting class of materials has emerged with grain sizes two orders of magnitude finer than that produced by conventional processing. These nanocrystalline alloys are produced by intense plastic straining termed equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE). The aim of the project is to incorporate novel experimental techniques, using single crystals, in situ annealing and 3-D computer simulation to develop a fundamental understanding of microstructural stability during ECAE and subsequent thermal treatment. Such advances in our understanding of boundary mobility in fine-scale microstructures is important for evaluating their stability and, hence, the possible commercial exploitation of these materials.Read moreRead less
A 3D crystallographic framework for understanding the structure of deformed and annealed metals. A new 3D analysis technology will be developed into a powerful computational platform and used to explain several unresolved issues concerning the deformed and annealed state of metals. This technique is first of its kind in Australia and generates high resolution 3D images from most solid materials. There is enormous potential for its use in materials science and other research fields which is ben ....A 3D crystallographic framework for understanding the structure of deformed and annealed metals. A new 3D analysis technology will be developed into a powerful computational platform and used to explain several unresolved issues concerning the deformed and annealed state of metals. This technique is first of its kind in Australia and generates high resolution 3D images from most solid materials. There is enormous potential for its use in materials science and other research fields which is beneficial to Australia's standing in basic science. The project will provide an excellent research training environment for early career researchers who will develop an expertise that is expected to make a major contribution to future fundamental and applied research.Read moreRead less
Anisotropy of strengthening by solid solution and precipitation in concentrated Mg-Al and Mg-Zn alloys. The addition of solute increases the strength of Mg in some crystallographic directions but weakens the material in others. The weakening is called solid solution softening, and it can have profound effects on the mechanical behaviour of the material. Solid solution softening has been observed in the prismatic planes of single crystals of dilute Mg-Al and Mg-Zn alloys. Easier prismatic slip lo ....Anisotropy of strengthening by solid solution and precipitation in concentrated Mg-Al and Mg-Zn alloys. The addition of solute increases the strength of Mg in some crystallographic directions but weakens the material in others. The weakening is called solid solution softening, and it can have profound effects on the mechanical behaviour of the material. Solid solution softening has been observed in the prismatic planes of single crystals of dilute Mg-Al and Mg-Zn alloys. Easier prismatic slip lowers the strain hardening rate and increases the ductility of polycrystalline alloys in comparison with pure Mg. Despite their obvious significance, these effects have not been studied in single crystals of concentrated alloys. This is the main object of this project.Read moreRead less
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
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
3-D investigation of internal interfaces in annealed metals using 3-D focused ion beam tomography. The research will utlilise a suite of highly sophisticated techniques to study the interfacial structure in annealed metals. The dual beam platform is the first of its kind in Australia and will generate high resolution 3-D images from any solid material. There is enormous potential for its use in materials science and other research fields which is beneficial to Australia's standing in basic sci ....3-D investigation of internal interfaces in annealed metals using 3-D focused ion beam tomography. The research will utlilise a suite of highly sophisticated techniques to study the interfacial structure in annealed metals. The dual beam platform is the first of its kind in Australia and will generate high resolution 3-D images from any solid material. There is enormous potential for its use in materials science and other research fields which is beneficial to Australia's standing in basic science. Considering the sophisticated nature of the techniques, the project will provide an excellent research training environment for early career researchers who will develop expertise with techniques that are expected to a make major contribution to fundamental and applied research over the next few years. 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
Modelling twinning transitions in light metals: a new foundation for alloy and process development. Australia's quest to become a world leader in light metals technology is being held back by a lack of quantitative understanding of the metallurgical behaviour of magnesium, which is the lightest engineering metal, and titanium, which is the strongest light metal. In particular, there is poor knowledge of the influence of material parameters on deformation twinning. This knowledge is vital for eff ....Modelling twinning transitions in light metals: a new foundation for alloy and process development. Australia's quest to become a world leader in light metals technology is being held back by a lack of quantitative understanding of the metallurgical behaviour of magnesium, which is the lightest engineering metal, and titanium, which is the strongest light metal. In particular, there is poor knowledge of the influence of material parameters on deformation twinning. This knowledge is vital for efficient production and optimised alloy and part design. This proposal aims to develop a quantitative understanding of transitions in twinning activation for improved performance in fatigue, crash behaviour, structural integrity, forming, forging, extruding, hot rolling and annealing.Read moreRead less
Strength Enhancement of Aluminium Extrusion Alloys via Novel Thermal Processes and Alloy Composition Control. The aluminium industry in Australia produces ~4% of total goods and services exports nationally and over $2 billon per year in export earnings. The importance of developing energy-efficient processing and manufacturing technologies for aluminium and its alloys is reflected in the Federal Government's Light Metals Action Agenda. The proposed project has the potential to establish a platfo ....Strength Enhancement of Aluminium Extrusion Alloys via Novel Thermal Processes and Alloy Composition Control. The aluminium industry in Australia produces ~4% of total goods and services exports nationally and over $2 billon per year in export earnings. The importance of developing energy-efficient processing and manufacturing technologies for aluminium and its alloys is reflected in the Federal Government's Light Metals Action Agenda. The proposed project has the potential to establish a platform for intelligent design and development of thermal processing technologies for aluminium extrusion alloys with improved mechanical properties. Such technologies are expected to help the Australian aluminium industry to expand its international market share.Read moreRead less