Page 22 - Materials Australia - April 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS
Ships That Repair Themselves Best Line Of Defence
Source: Sally Wood
Professor Adrian Mouritz
with a carbon fibre loom. Image Credit: RMIT University.
Researchers have developed spray-on technology for repairing navy ships damaged by fire or missile attack.
The research led by RMIT University’s Professor Adrian Mouritz and funded by the Australian Department of Defence and the US Navy, effectively allows ships to repair themselves while at sea.
Partnering with CSIRO, Professor Mouritz is developing a polymer that can be squirted onto cracked or damaged fibre composite surfaces to repair them within 10 minutes.
“At the moment, if you damage a composite, whether it’s an aircraft, a naval ship, a wind turbine blade or anything, you need to take it out of service, so you can’t use it,” said Professor Mouritz.
“You’ve got to cut out, or grind out the damaged area and then put new material in, and that’s a pretty slow and expensive way to do it.”
“Our method allows you to do repairs immediately when the damage forms and it can heal itself in the same way that your body does,” said Professor Mouritz.
Preserving defence fleets is critical work, but protecting personnel is even more important. Fires on ships at sea or while docked can threaten lives, not to mention millions of dollars in infrastructure.
The research aims to prevent blazes like the one that destroyed HMAS Bundaberg, a $54 million navy patrol boat, in 2014.
This work ties in with Mouritz’s other research on the effects of fire on ships made from fibre composites and also aluminium.
While both materials are lightweight and more economical, they are sensitive to high temperatures. This has prompted Mouritz’s research into managing the fire risks of fibre composites.
“The work we’ve been doing with Defence is to develop models the navy can use to predict, if there is a fire on a ship, how long that fire can burn before it becomes a major safety hazard to the structural safety of the vessel,” said Professor Mouritz.
“It also allows them to get a better understanding of the fire protection measures needed to put on board a ship which is made out of either aluminium or composite materials.”
Experimental tests have led the team to create predictors used to save lives in ships as well as planes and buildings.
“We took that information and then developed models, which allow people to predict how these two groups of materials will weaken, and when they’ll fail in the event of fire,” said Professor Mouritz.
“That sort of work has never been
done before. These models that we’ve developed can be used not only for naval ships; they can be used if there’s a fire on an aircraft, or in a building.”
Mouritz and his team, who are
collaborating with local and international organisations, have also investigated how composite fibres react to explosions.
The team’s insights continue to inform the next generation of composite materials.
Mouritz is dedicated to investigating
the area of fibre reinforced polymer composites, as well as the broader field of engineering materials used in aircraft. His work has led to numerous discoveries on topics such as fracture and fatigue properties, damage tolerance, and non- destructive inspection and smart health monitoring.
About RMIT University
RMIT University is a leading educator in technology, design and enterprise. One of the first tertiary institutions in Australia, it has grown to become a global force
in education, research and innovation. It has staked its name on applied research and engaging with the needs of the industry and the national and international economy.
About CSIRO
The CSIRO is Australia’s national science research agency. The agency is dedicated to investigating and offering solutions to the greatest challenges through ground- breaking science and technology. The work they do shapes the future of Australia
and ensures the nation is prepared for the challenges facing the local community and economy, as well as the planet as a whole.
22 | APRIL 2019
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