Project D4: Wear resistant light alloys
•	Key researchers: P. Hodgson, Z. Shokouhi
Summary
This project is concerned with the development of light alloys with structurally or chemically modified surfaces – or a combination of both structural and chemical modification. These alloys will have graded properties designed such that the surface behaves superior to the bulk for specific properties, in this case wear resistance. This project has a strong link with Project D5, aimed at developing graded structures for the purpose of corrosion resistance.
Progress to date includes:
•	Acquisition and commissioning of the associated necessary infrastructure – which is also aligned with the Victorian Facility for Light Metals Surface Technology.
•	Preliminary pin-on-disk wear resistance testing on engineered light alloy surfaces.
•	Preparation of samples with modified (surface) structures induced by surface mechanical attrition.