Fri, 16 April, 2021
TWI is part of a new international collaboration to accelerate advanced materials integration for the defence industry.
Funding has been jointly provided by the DST Group’s Australian Next Generation Technologies Fund and the Ministry of Defence Materials for Strategic Advantage programme in the UK, using a common assessment framework managed by the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). Assessment and Moderation of the competition was carried out collaboratively by Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) in the UK and DST Group in Australia.
Innovative proposals were submitted for funding in the UK and Australia for the integration of composites, adhesives for structural joining, the joining of high temperature structures and improving armour systems.
Both governments are funding proposals while further strengthening ties between the UK and Australia through the work of the nine partner companies drawn from both nations.
The bilateral international programme has seen nine partners from across both nations receive phase 2 funding worth a total of £1.48 million. This funding is part of an overall pooled fund of around £2.52 million from the two phases of the competition so far.
TWI’s project will build upon the successful completion of DASA Phase 1 project in 2020. This Phase 2 project will further investigate the joining of ceramic-metal structures through novel joint design and interlayers. In this study, TWI will study joints between alumina and silicon nitride to titanium (TI-6Al-4V). The one of the major ambitions of this project is to increase the technology readiness level (TRL) of current research by demonstrating the scalability of the successful joint design to a representative component size. This project will entail numerical modelling of ceramic-metal joints that will inform the practical experimental trials.
Jeremy Quin, the UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement, said, “The UK and Australia have an enduring defence relationship. As we take on a range of new challenges, I am delighted we will be working together to ensure our personnel are armed with the most advanced technologies. These joint challenge projects represent both country’s innovative visions for the future, whilst supporting our academic and industry partners.”
Australian Minister for the Defence Industry, Melissa Price, said, “These joint challenge projects have not only strengthened our bilateral defence relationship but provide support to each country’s respective defence industries to overcome capability challenges we face. Academic and industry partners are vitally important to both defence forces. Through the Next Generation Technologies Fund, the Australian Government is committed to providing the best capability possible to the men and women who serve our nation.”