Developing an environmentally friendly, low cost solution to reduce wear and improve productivity in metal forming . Tool wear is an increasing problem for automotive manufacturers, resulting in significant loss of manufacturing efficiency. This project will provide new understanding of tool wear, innovative active monitoring systems and novel environmentally friendly lubricants to reduce tool wear.
A new role for vibration analysis in gear wear modelling and prediction. This project aims to improve prediction of the remaining useful life of gears. Gears are widely used in industry and transport. This project aims to integrate the two main methods of gear condition monitoring, vibration and oil analysis, and perform model-based wear prediction with the tribology and dynamic models continually updated on the basis of measured wear debris and vibration. New signal processing tools should allo ....A new role for vibration analysis in gear wear modelling and prediction. This project aims to improve prediction of the remaining useful life of gears. Gears are widely used in industry and transport. This project aims to integrate the two main methods of gear condition monitoring, vibration and oil analysis, and perform model-based wear prediction with the tribology and dynamic models continually updated on the basis of measured wear debris and vibration. New signal processing tools should allow estimation of relatively weak friction forces, previously neglected, as an important prognostic tool. This would allow detailed root cause analysis and prediction of remaining useful life. Improvements in gear prognosis would have safety and economic benefits by eliminating unforeseen catastrophic failures and optimising maintenance schedules.Read moreRead less
Mechanics of innovative high precision rolling technology in micromanufacturing. This project will focus on the establishment of high precision rolling technology for manufacturing microparts in Australia by using a unique profile and flexible rolling method. A successful outcome will provide an important breakthrough in the microrolling area and new knowledge for advanced micromanufacturing technology and its applications.
Multiscale viscoelastic lubrication of soft matter systems. The project aims to develop new principles of viscoelastic lubrication in soft contacts. New insights into friction behaviour arising from complex fluid-substrate interactions are expected to be generated using techniques and interdisciplinary approaches that bridge rheology, tribology and surface science. The intended outcome is a lubrication model that interprets the contribution of viscoelastic effects occurring across multiple lengt ....Multiscale viscoelastic lubrication of soft matter systems. The project aims to develop new principles of viscoelastic lubrication in soft contacts. New insights into friction behaviour arising from complex fluid-substrate interactions are expected to be generated using techniques and interdisciplinary approaches that bridge rheology, tribology and surface science. The intended outcome is a lubrication model that interprets the contribution of viscoelastic effects occurring across multiple length and time scales. This should provide significant benefits to diverse fields including advanced materials and complex fluids, engineering tribology, bio-lubrication and food structure design.Read moreRead less
A physically based abrasive wear model for high-speed steel at high temperature. The economic benefits of reducing roll wear, extending roll life and improving strip quality are very significant. This comprehensive project will provide new knowledge on tool wear to help the Australian manufacturing industry (e.g. steel and aluminium, machining) to better understand and optimise their processes to achieve maximum benefits.
A tribological approach to improve surface quality of silicon steel. This project aims to design a lubricant composite where multiple additives work in synergy and perform at high temperatures. In hot rolling of silicon and electrical steels, significant surface defects of red scales, severe work-roll wear and high friction are problems for traditional lubricant which cannot perform effectively under extreme thermal/loading conditions. The new lubricant is expected to eliminate red scale defects ....A tribological approach to improve surface quality of silicon steel. This project aims to design a lubricant composite where multiple additives work in synergy and perform at high temperatures. In hot rolling of silicon and electrical steels, significant surface defects of red scales, severe work-roll wear and high friction are problems for traditional lubricant which cannot perform effectively under extreme thermal/loading conditions. The new lubricant is expected to eliminate red scale defects, reduce oxidation and rolling force, improve surface quality and extend roll service life.Read moreRead less
Slippery when wet: lubrication with responsive polymers. Lubrication and friction of aqueous (water-based) systems is important in many industrial and biological contexts, such as oil and gas exploration, solid/liquid separation, bioimplants and therapeutic treatments for joints. The outcomes of this project will provide greater control of friction through the use of stimulus responsive polymers.
A new adaptive composite phosphate-polymer lubricant for hot metal forming. The project proposes a new composite phosphate-polymer lubricant in aqueous solution for metal forming at high temperature. The lubricant is self-adaptive to the high pressure, shear and temperature, and will provide threefold synergistic functions: desired tribological performance (anti-wear and low friction); cooling effect; and, oxidation inhibition. This has the potential to significantly reduce overall costs, improv ....A new adaptive composite phosphate-polymer lubricant for hot metal forming. The project proposes a new composite phosphate-polymer lubricant in aqueous solution for metal forming at high temperature. The lubricant is self-adaptive to the high pressure, shear and temperature, and will provide threefold synergistic functions: desired tribological performance (anti-wear and low friction); cooling effect; and, oxidation inhibition. This has the potential to significantly reduce overall costs, improve product quality and lead to a cleaner working environment within the Australian manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Optimising gaseous and particulate emissions from diesel engines. About $3.7 billion is spent annually in Australia on respiratory diseases. Diesel vehicle emissions of nano- and ultra-fine urban air particulate pollution are a significant factor in this disease. This project will directly addresses this problem by developing a technology to monitor and reduce diesel particulate emissions.
An Integrated surface conversion for life extension of oil pipelines. This project will propose a novel, cost-effective surface engineering technique that synthesizes an effective surface coating during the pipeline manufacturing process. Seamless Steel pipelines conveying oil and contaminants can have a short life due to erosion-corrosion. The need to develop mitigation techniques against the internal corrosion-erosion has increased significantly as steel pipelines are used in more aggressive e ....An Integrated surface conversion for life extension of oil pipelines. This project will propose a novel, cost-effective surface engineering technique that synthesizes an effective surface coating during the pipeline manufacturing process. Seamless Steel pipelines conveying oil and contaminants can have a short life due to erosion-corrosion. The need to develop mitigation techniques against the internal corrosion-erosion has increased significantly as steel pipelines are used in more aggressive environments. The project expects to develop an integrated surface coating during the manufacturing process, which will provide long-term integrity and extend the life of the pipeline. The forensic evaluation and prediction of the life performance of the pipeline will quantify how the coating will combat effectively erosion-corrosion related problems in oil pipelines. Read moreRead less