Researchers at Flinders University’s College of Science and Engineering have started an innovation partnership with AML3D, a radidly expanding Adelaide company.
AML3D Limited was established to commercialise WAM (Wire Additive Manufacturing), an emerging innovative metal additive manufacturing technology for the rapid, cost-effective production of large, high performance metal components and structures. Located at Edinburgh Park, the company has grown to more than 30 employees over the past five years.
The $50,000 research project at Flinders University, led by Professor Jamie Quinton and Professor Sarah Harmer from Flinders Institute for NanoScale Science and Technology and Flinders Microscopy and Microanalysis, will investigate the microstructure and corrosion of Wire Arc 3D printed metal alloys.
Professor Quinton says the project is an exciting step forward for Flinders’ industry engagement in advanced manufacturing.
“This will directly benefit South Australia’s defence and aerospace industries,” he says.
The company’s CEO and managing director Mr Andy Sales says the venture will provide an industry benchmark, “positively contributing to the increasing evidence of superior material properties of WAM® parts compared to traditional manufacturing”.
“Understanding the underlying microstructure and corrosion behaviour will assist in developing print parameters that further support third-party verification and certification processes, with findings used to improve our proprietary printing technology,” Mr Sales says.
The initial project will include Flinders postdoctoral researcher Dr Ruby Sims and Dylan Ricardi, 2021 Honours student in the BSc(Hons) Enhanced Program for High Achievers course.
Professor Quinton, who is an editor of the MDP journal Corrosion and Materials Degradation, is editing a special issue on Corrosion and Degradation Processes in Additively Manufactured Materials. He also will chair symposium on this theme at the 1st Corrosion and Materials Degradation Web Conference to be held on 17-19 May 2021.