The development of optimum microstructures in hot worked metals. Hot working is used to obtain the shape and properties of a wide range of metal products. At present our knowledge of how to control the forming process and properties of the final product is limited to laboratory conditions that do not apply in industry. This work will systematically study the deformation behaviour of a range of metals, including steel, titanium, aluminium, magnesium and copper from standard laboratory to real i ....The development of optimum microstructures in hot worked metals. Hot working is used to obtain the shape and properties of a wide range of metal products. At present our knowledge of how to control the forming process and properties of the final product is limited to laboratory conditions that do not apply in industry. This work will systematically study the deformation behaviour of a range of metals, including steel, titanium, aluminium, magnesium and copper from standard laboratory to real industrial conditions. We will develop advanced models to predict the properties of these metals for any hot working process and identify opportunities to develop new high strength products.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
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
Nanostructured Al Alloys: SPD Processing and Properties. The use of conventional Al alloys in automotive and airspace industries is often restricted by their low room temperature strength. Development of high strength Al alloys which could replace much more expensive Ti alloys or heavier steel in constructions is a very promising way to reduce structural weight and cost. Using the Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) technique, namely high pressure torsion and equal-channel angular extrusion, we ai ....Nanostructured Al Alloys: SPD Processing and Properties. The use of conventional Al alloys in automotive and airspace industries is often restricted by their low room temperature strength. Development of high strength Al alloys which could replace much more expensive Ti alloys or heavier steel in constructions is a very promising way to reduce structural weight and cost. Using the Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) technique, namely high pressure torsion and equal-channel angular extrusion, we aim to develop a new method for production of bulk nanostructured Al alloy with high room temperature strength for automotive and airspace applications.
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A Microstructure Based Approach to Steel Design for Improved Crash Performance. There is a continual need for the automotive industry to develop vehicles with increased fuel efficiency and safety. This research will establish how different types of new advanced steels can contribute to improved crash worthiness, while also helping to increase fuel efficiency through lighter weight. This will lead to the development of new steels that offer even better crash performance while also providing more ....A Microstructure Based Approach to Steel Design for Improved Crash Performance. There is a continual need for the automotive industry to develop vehicles with increased fuel efficiency and safety. This research will establish how different types of new advanced steels can contribute to improved crash worthiness, while also helping to increase fuel efficiency through lighter weight. This will lead to the development of new steels that offer even better crash performance while also providing more realistic computer models for car designers.Read moreRead less
Dynamically responding metals: a new generation of engineering alloys. The manufacture of engineering metals is a major Australian industry and the worldwide metal manufacturing sector is estimated to be worth $1 trillion USD per annum. Advanced materials and, particularly the light metals, are both designated national research priority areas. The availability of new classes of metals with greatly improved combinations of properties will profoundly affect not only metal use by existing industry, ....Dynamically responding metals: a new generation of engineering alloys. The manufacture of engineering metals is a major Australian industry and the worldwide metal manufacturing sector is estimated to be worth $1 trillion USD per annum. Advanced materials and, particularly the light metals, are both designated national research priority areas. The availability of new classes of metals with greatly improved combinations of properties will profoundly affect not only metal use by existing industry, through the introduction of new, stronger and safer metal grades, but also allows for new engineering designs which will lead, for example, to lighter and more efficient automobiles and more sustainable construction.Read moreRead less
Corrosion Resistance of Nanocrystalline Materials. Novel structure and the associated unique properties of nanostructured materials confer potentials for their exciting industrial applications, such as drug delivery to specified locations for cancer treatment, exceptionally high sensitivity sensors, miniaturisation in computers/electronic/communication industry, nano electro-mechanical systems, catalytic applications and exceptionally high strength materials. In most of the applications, the nan ....Corrosion Resistance of Nanocrystalline Materials. Novel structure and the associated unique properties of nanostructured materials confer potentials for their exciting industrial applications, such as drug delivery to specified locations for cancer treatment, exceptionally high sensitivity sensors, miniaturisation in computers/electronic/communication industry, nano electro-mechanical systems, catalytic applications and exceptionally high strength materials. In most of the applications, the nanomaterials have to demonstrate acceptable corrosion resistance in the operation environment. However, corrosion resistance of nanostructured materials has not been investigated. The proposal will investigate the mechanistic aspect of localized corrosion and cracking of nanostructured materials.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence - Design in Light Metals. Under the national Light Metals Action Agenda, Australia recognizes a strategic interest in the production, processing and applications of the light metals, and a growth in global markets for light metals technology. Light metals research is a designated national priority, and this Centre will provide the national focus in strategic fundamental research, the critical level of investment and the level of innovation necessary to achieve competiti ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Design in Light Metals. Under the national Light Metals Action Agenda, Australia recognizes a strategic interest in the production, processing and applications of the light metals, and a growth in global markets for light metals technology. Light metals research is a designated national priority, and this Centre will provide the national focus in strategic fundamental research, the critical level of investment and the level of innovation necessary to achieve competitive advantage from an outstanding research base. As a major contributor to a strategic network of national research capabilities, it will underpin substantial developments in the light metals industry nationally and globally, and extend linkages with major research centres internationally.Read moreRead less
The Coupling of Plasticity, Microstructure and Phase Transformations in the Design of Novel Magnesium Alloys for the Automotive Industry. The desire to reduce the weight of automobiles due to legislative requirements on fuel emissions and to reduce overall fuel consumption is the driving force behind research into the development of new Mg-based alloys to replace the heavier steel and Al-alloy components in automobiles. Given the enormous worldwide transportation market and the environmental and ....The Coupling of Plasticity, Microstructure and Phase Transformations in the Design of Novel Magnesium Alloys for the Automotive Industry. The desire to reduce the weight of automobiles due to legislative requirements on fuel emissions and to reduce overall fuel consumption is the driving force behind research into the development of new Mg-based alloys to replace the heavier steel and Al-alloy components in automobiles. Given the enormous worldwide transportation market and the environmental and legislative motivation for reducing fuel emissions, the development of new Mg-based alloys capable of meeting this demand from automotive manufacturers represents both a potentially large economic advantage to the country of development as well as helping to address the environmental concern about fuel emissions.Read moreRead less