Grant: Industrial Research Chairs
University of Windsor
$150,000.00
NSERC/General Motors of Canada Industrial Research Chair in Tribology of Lightweight Materials
FY 2011-12
Summary
The Industrial Research Chair entitled ""Tribology of Lightweight Materials"" (NSERC GMIRC), at the
University of Windsor is designed to study microstructural basis of friction, wear and adhesion processes that
occur in Al and Mg alloys, lightweight materials that are of interest in manufacturing of fuel efficient
automotive engines and other structural components that operate under sliding contact. By developing the new
tribological tests and surface and subsurface characterization methods, micromechanisms of damage processes
in these materials will be investigated. Computational studies will be conducted to simulate and predict
mechanical behaviour and environmental sensitivity of the sliding surfaces at the atomic level. Accordingly, in
the next term NSERC GMIRC's research will be focussed in the following programs:
A) A 'Powertrain Tribology' program that will identify the wear mechanisms associated with lightweight
internal combustion engines, with an emphasis on determining the role of bio-fuels and the reduction of friction
losses to increase engine efficiency.
B) A 'High Performance Coatings' program that will design new tribological coatings for high performance
cutting tools and improve the effectiveness of light metal machining and shaping processes typically hindered
by material adhesion. Coatings developed in this framework will be applicable to other demanding tribological
automotive components and manufacturing processes.
C) A 'Tribology of Warm Forming' program that will delineate friction coefficients and contact damage
mechanisms between Al and Mg alloy sheets and die surfaces and use this knowledge to bring surface
engineering solutions that serve increase the formability and surface quality lightweight automotive panels.
Overall, the NSERC GMIRC programs will generate the fundamental scientific and engineering knowledge
needed to produce energy efficient automotive components and manufacturing technologies as well as train the
necessary highly-qualified personnel and in this way they will enhance Canada's ability to compete in the
Program
Industrial Research Chairs
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
256497-2011
Name nom
Alpas, Ahmet
Department département
Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering
Organization id
37
Institution établissement
University of Windsor
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2011
Award amount
150000
Program id
IRCPJ
Program nane en
Industrial Research Chairs
Program name fr
Professeurs-chercheurs industriels
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
141
Committee name en
University/Industry
Committee name fr
Universités/industrie
Area of application code
1208
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Materials sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences des matériaux
Research subject code
2000
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Materials science and technology
Research subject fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Partie
11
Nb partie
15
Application title
NSERC/General Motors of Canada Industrial Research Chair in Tribology of Lightweight Materials
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The Industrial Research Chair entitled ""Tribology of Lightweight Materials"" (NSERC GMIRC), at the
University of Windsor is designed to study microstructural basis of friction, wear and adhesion processes that
occur in Al and Mg alloys, lightweight materials that are of interest in manufacturing of fuel efficient
automotive engines and other structural components that operate under sliding contact. By developing the new
tribological tests and surface and subsurface characterization methods, micromechanisms of damage processes
in these materials will be investigated. Computational studies will be conducted to simulate and predict
mechanical behaviour and environmental sensitivity of the sliding surfaces at the atomic level. Accordingly, in
the next term NSERC GMIRC's research will be focussed in the following programs:
A) A 'Powertrain Tribology' program that will identify the wear mechanisms associated with lightweight
internal combustion engines, with an emphasis on determining the role of bio-fuels and the reduction of friction
losses to increase engine efficiency.
B) A 'High Performance Coatings' program that will design new tribological coatings for high performance
cutting tools and improve the effectiveness of light metal machining and shaping processes typically hindered
by material adhesion. Coatings developed in this framework will be applicable to other demanding tribological
automotive components and manufacturing processes.
C) A 'Tribology of Warm Forming' program that will delineate friction coefficients and contact damage
mechanisms between Al and Mg alloy sheets and die surfaces and use this knowledge to bring surface
engineering solutions that serve increase the formability and surface quality lightweight automotive panels.
Overall, the NSERC GMIRC programs will generate the fundamental scientific and engineering knowledge
needed to produce energy efficient automotive components and manufacturing technologies as well as train the
necessary highly-qualified personnel and in this way they will enhance Canada's ability to compete in the
