Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S74232/01
Title:	Semisolid Processing of Al-Alloy Components by a Rheo-Diecasting Process
Principal Investigator:	Fan, Professor Z
Other Investigators:	Das, Dr A
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Ford Motor Co JL French Rondol Technology
Department:	Mechanical Engineering
Organisation:	Brunel University London
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 February 2004	Ends:	30 June 2007	Value (£):	642,515
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
As a light-weight material, AI-alleys are attractive to the automobile industry for vehicle weight reduction to improve the fuel economy and to reduce the exhaust emission. Since 1990, the use of Al has doubled in cars and tripled in the light truck market. However, further increase in the usage of aluminium in the transport industry calls for new processing technologies, which are capable of producing components of high quality at low production cost. Under such circumstances, a new processing technology, rheo-diecasting (named rheomoulding previously), is being developed at the Brunel University. Based en the initial results from our laboratory, we have identified a number of potential advantages of the rheo-diecasting process ever the conventional HPDC process, such as fine and uniform microstructure, close to zero porosity; improved mechanical properties, larger processing windows, lower component cost and higher production efficiency. The proposed project is a continuation of the EPSRC grant GR/N14262/01. It aims: (1) to optimise the rheo-diecasting process for high quality and low cost Al components; (2) to develop new Al-alleys to fully exploit the potential advantages of the rheo-diecasting process. This proposal also addresses the rheological behaviour of semisolid slurries and the mechanical properties of rheo-diecast materials. This is a research initiative led by the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST) at Brunel University in collaboration with three industrial partners including equipment manufacturer, component producer and the end user. If successful, this project will bring substantial benefit to both the aluminium industry and the transport industry. The general public will benefit from improved environment, reduced running cost of meter cars and increased comfort. The global economic benefit would be in billions of pounds.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk Summary Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:
Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.brunel.ac.uk