Engineering Materials

Working to advance materials research for a better future

The Engineering Materials research cluster is comprised of expertise in material characterisation, material selection, novel applications for existing materials, use of new materials in the industry, material recycling, development of sustainable materials, and many other materials research fields providing consultancy knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines.

Through the collaboration of multiple schools and research groups within UWA, this cluster aims to provide engineering solutions to materials related problems in industry and research. Additionally, the cluster also aims to provide material research consultations to other research groups in and out of the university.

Expertise within the Research Cluster

Engineering Materials research cluster plans to give emphasis to wide-ranging consultation activities including oil and gas, construction, automotive, rail, maritime, 3D printing, energy, defence, aerospace, machinery and electrical and electronic products. Engineering Materials research cluster is comprised of expertise in testing and analysis of a multitude of materials, including the following:

  • Construction materials
  • Composite materials
  • Metallic materials and alloys
  • Polymeric materials
  • Coatings
  • Geo materials
  • Bio materials
  • Minerals
  • Hybrid and internally engineered structure materials
  • Electronic materials

Our Members

Engineering Materials Testing Facilities and Services

Cluster testing facilities and services include:

  • Static and dynamic mechanical tests
  • Hardness tests
  • Physical, fluid flow and thermal tests
  • Non-destructive tests
  • Corrosion and ageing tests
  • Minerals tests
  • Rock tests
  • Fracture and Failure tests
  • Fatigue
  • Microstructural characterisation:

- Optical microscopy

- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

- X-ray diffractometry (XRD)

- X-ray microscopy (XRM)

- Scanning probe microscopy (SPM)

- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy

Our Research Projects

Current Project

1. Strength capacity of half-cap scarf splices of timber bridges for Main Roads

2. Finite element modelling of half-cap scarf splices of timber bridges for Main Roads

Past Projects

1. Thermogravimetric analysis for waste plastics to use in pavement for ARRB National Transport Research Organisation

2. Determination of the tensile bond strength of concrete for the The Forrestfield-Airport Link

3. Tensile strength tests for cellulose-based material for Nanollose

4. Compressive, flexural and direct tensile strength tests for cellulose-based material for Nanollose

Relevant study areas

Contact the Engineering Materials Research Cluster