Research Staff  
 
Dr. Dan Fabijanic
 
  • PhD, Surface Engineering (Deakin University 2000-2004)
• BE (hons.), Materials Engineering, (University of Wollongong 1994-1999)
 
School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering
 
  Deakin University, Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds
Pigdons Rd, VIC, 3127, Australia
Phone: +61 (3) 5227 2413
Email: daniel.fabijanic@deakin.edu.au
 
Research interests
 
Dr Fabijanic’s research centres on the use a Fluid Bed Reactor (FBR) technology platform to Surface Engineer ferrous and light metals.  Significant emphasis has been on the commercialisation of a patented low-temperature duplex surface treatment for tooling used in aluminium metal forming processes.  Current research is focussed on thermo-chemical diffusion and fluid bed reactor chemical vapour deposition processes (FBR-CVD) for the surface modification of light metals.  Specific projects include the low-temperature aluminising of magnesium and titanium for wear, corrosion and high temperature oxidation resistance, and the nitriding and siliconising of aluminium for wear resistance.  Future research aims to expand the FBR technology platform to include the CVD and plasma surface engineering of powders and fibres, synthesis of nano-materials, creation of work-hardening / TRIP layers on steels, and processes for improving the high temperature carburising resistance of surfaces.
 
Selected publications
 
1. K.  Spencer, D. Fabijanic & M. Zhang, "The use of Al-Al2O3 Cold Spray Coatings to Improve the Surface Properties of Magnesium Alloys", Surface and Coating Technology, In press, accepted 3rd August 2009. 
2. K.  Spencer, D. Fabijanic & M. Zhang, "Cold Spray of Al-MMC Coatings on Magnesium Alloys for Improved Corrosion and Wear Resistance", Materials Science Forum, 618-619, 377-380,  2009.
3. D.M. Fabijanic, G.L. Kelly, J. Long & P.D. Hodgson, "A nitrocarburising and low-temperature chromising duplex surface treatment", Material Forum, 29, 77-82, 2005.
4. T. Hilditch, S. Toman & D. Fabijanic, "Post-form heat treatment of dual phase steel components for automotive applications using a fluid bed furnace", Material Forum, 31, 24-30, 2007.
5. D.M. Fabijanic, G.L. Kelly & P.D. Hodgson, "A new low temperature duplex surface treatment",  Industrial Heating, October 2005, 29-32.
6. W.M. Gao, L.X. Kong, D.M. Fabijanic & P.D. Hodgson, "Computational Investigation into the Roles of Inert Solid Particles in a Gas-Solid Fluidization System", The Fifth International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, 12-15 September 2006.
7. Gao, W., Kong, L., Fabijanic, D. & Hodgson, P., "Computational Simulation of the Influence of Moving Solid Particles on Species Diffusion and Chemical Reactions", Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology, 1-14, Scotland, 2006.
8. Fabijanic, D., Kelly, G., Cardew-Hall, M. & Hodgson, P., "Galling reduction through die surface treatment - Testing three treatments for sheet metal stamping", Stamping Journal, 14(2), 30-31, (2003).
9. Fabijanic, D. & Hodgson, P., "A New Duplex Surface Modification Process Using Fluid Bed CVD", Proceedings 16th International Federation for Heat treatment and Surface Engineering (IFHTSE) Congress Thermal Processing and Surface Engineering: Key Activities in the Global Knowledge Economy, 115, Materials Australia, Australia, 2007.