The technology could enter the world market within five years
A WORLD-LEADING technology that makes metals lighter, stronger and more pliable has been developed in Geelong.
The new manufacturing process could revolutionise the transport industry and has the backing of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturer Boeing, who’s multi-billion dollar industry is focused on building lighter, stronger and cheaper planes.
Developed by the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM) and Monash University, the process is undertaken by a specialised machine designed and built by Geelong companies PM Design and J. Anderson and Co.
The pilot scale version of the machine called a Continuous Equal Channel Angular Processing system, was unveiled yesterday.
The machine takes aluminium sheet and breaks it down into nano-structured crystals to refine the grain structure of the metal and make it stronger, more formable and more weldable.
VCAMM chief Brad Dunstan said American companies had invested heavily in the technology without success in the past.
” … But here in Australia, using Geelong engineers and tradesmen, we’ve developed something to help the world’s largest aerospace corporation,” he said.
Other alloys including steel, titanium and magnesium can also be used in the process, making it attractive to industries looking for lightweight, high-performance materials, including the automotive sector.
via Geelong Advertiser – Cameron Best
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