MineAlloy training centre to revitalise Australian mining

Director of mineAlloy, Professor Matthew Barnett of Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials commented: “As some examples of the collaborative research we are undertaking, we are working with businesses in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Sydney and Brisbane to develop the next generation of mining steels, improved ceramic wear and improved hard facing processes.”

“Our business goal is to develop superior alloys that last longer than imported competition. The challenges are significant, but this is just what is needed to drive transformative breakthroughs. The centre is also focused on training the next generation of thought leaders for the sector.”

Research is reportedly being carried out across three core themes:

Alloy development - exploring new alloy compositions for ground engaging tools, ore chute liners and rock crushers using advanced materials characterisation techniques at Deakin University, the Australian Synchrotron and ANSTO’s OPAL reactor. This work is revealing the alloy structure with extraordinarily high resolution.

Innovative manufacturing – both powder-bed and blown-powder 3D printing technologies are being used to manufacture cemented carbide components, with a high-volume fraction of tungsten carbides and low porosity. The researchers are studying the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance of these components.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/11062018/minealloy-training-centre-to-revitalise-australian-mining/