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Archive: Victorian Facility for Light Metals Surface Technology (VFLMST)
Activity in the State Government of Victoria funded Victorian Facility for Light Metals Surface Technology has been vigorous and fruitful throughout 2008. The acquisition of key milestone and installation of key elements infrastructure between the nodes at Monash University and Deakin University is complete. The facility is funded in support of the core research activities of the Centre of Excellence Research Program D, assisting in the attainment of unified research outcomes via the strategic investment towards the ability to acquire and maintain high-level infrastructure and personnel.  


Figure 4 - Dr Birbilis with the FEI Phenom desktop Scanning Electron Microscope.



Figure 5 - 3D image of aircraft alloy (AA7075-T651) surface revealing corrosion pits after exposure to corrosive environment.
 
In this period milestones include:
 
• Expansion of the dedicated laboratory space at both Monash and Deakin for characterisation of the physical properties of light metal surfaces.
 
• Numerous high-level visitors to the purpose built facility, including:
 
• Professor Tim Burstein, University of Cambridge
• Professor Stuart Lyon, Manchester University
• Professor Hamish Fraser, Ohio State University
 
• Numerous International visiting scientists to the purpose built facility for an extended period of time, including:
 
• Kwanjun Euh, Korea Institute of Materials Science
• Lenka Skublova, University of Zilina
• Mary Cavanaugh, The Ohio State University
• Nicholas Kirkland, University of Canterbury
 
• Engagement of 3 honours students and a UROP Merit Scholar to work within the facility during 2008 on a host of projects:
 
• Sarah Quirk: Localised corrosion on the nano-scale in Al-Zn-Mg alloys
• Brendan Stafford: The effect of Fe on the anodising response of a 6xxx series Al alloy
• Matt Zonneveldt: Microstructure effects on the corrosion of a model aluminium-zinc alloy
• Amy Spark: Corrosion damage measurement and modelling
 
• Major equipment delivered in 2008, of which the facility was affiliated with wholly or in part:
 
• Scanning Electron Microscope (FEI Phenom, Figure 4) that offers users of any skill level the ability to simply and quickly perform electron microscopy. Dr. Birbilis is pictured below with the instrument, which has been quickly integrated into all aspects of research in the facility and boasts a wide user base of undergraduate, postgraduate and post-doctoral personnel.
• Dual Beam Focused Ion Beam Instrument (QUANTA 3D-FEG). This instrument acquisition came from sources funding a leveraged bid to the ARC (LIEF scheme) for 2008. The instrument was delivered in late 2008 and will be the only of its kind in Victoria, offering a true nanofabrication and advanced characterisation facility for the materials sciences. The instrument is capable of high resolution electron and ion imaging, together with ion milling capability, permitting 3D materials characterisation. Other benefits include the ability to perform EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction) analysis, in-situ manipulation and Environmental SEM capability.
• Optical profilometer (Veeco Wyko). The optical profilometer allows for 3D surface characterisation of topography in a non contact manner. This is very important for the determination of surface rougness, wear and attack. An example 3D image is seen in Figure 5, revealing early stage corrosion damage / pits upon an aircraft alloy (AA7075-T651).
 
• Some of the research associated with this Facility in 2008 includes:
 
• Continued investigation into the effect of the effect of specific alloying additions on the corrosion of Mg-based alloys. This is a large and ongoing program aimed at elucidating the basic science behind the development and design of more stainless Mg alloys. Aspects of this work are in conjunction with the CAST CRC.
• Investigation and control of the surface properties of Mg alloys with respect to ignition control of magnesium and high temperature oxidation.
• Characterisation of corrosion mode and propagation for light metal alloys. This is leading to the establishment of models for the prediction of alloy lifetimes into the future, and is a cornerstone of collaborations with DSTO.
• Pin-on-disk wear testing of light alloy surfaces that have been specifically produced with modified functional surfaces in order to perform with superior properties to conventional light alloys.
• Detailed investigation into the effects of surface structure (viz. grain size and grain orientation) on the reaction kinetics of magnesium and aluminium alloys. This has involved collaboration with The Ohio State University.
• Significant research into the utility of magnesium and its alloys as a biodegradable implant material suitable for use in human patients. Such alloys required carefully controlled dissolution rates to serve as functional bio-implants in the body before being dissolved and relieving the need for a second operation.
 
The VFLMST is a truly comprehensive and versatile hub in Victoria for surface technology, characterisation, and control of light metal surfaces. Thus far, this work has also involved cooperation with the CAST CRC, AMT and engagement with both CSIRO and DSTO.
 
Plans for the coming year already include numerous high profile visitors to engage in tangible collaborative research in the facility (for extended periods) including visitors from the USA, UK, Spain and China.
 
Research outputs for the facility to date include acceptance of 12 archival journal papers, 5 invited talks on an international platform, one invited journal paper, 5 conference papers, 5 posters, and the preparation of several manuscripts that are presently entering submission.
 
© ARC Centre of Excellence for Design in Light Metals
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