NRC — Aluminium Technology Centre
At a glance
- No Condition
- Open Date : November 14, 2019
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- National Research Council Canada
- Government of Canada
Overview
Eligibility criteria
Who is eligible
Eligible companies for this grant are those involved in the aluminium transformation sector and seeking to improve their manufacturing processes, develop lighter products, and enhance environmental sustainability. These companies can benefit from access to cutting-edge scientific infrastructure, expertise in assembly process development, and aluminium forming technologies.
- Companies in the aluminium transformation industry
- Companies aiming to make lighter and more environmentally friendly products
- Companies interested in improving manufacturing processes
Eligible expenses
The eligible expenses for this grant include funding for research and development activities related to aluminium transformation processes, technological solutions, equipment acquisition, testing and characterization services, and collaborative projects. The grant supports innovations in assembly processes, aluminium forming technologies, and materials characterization.
- Funding for research and development activities
- Equipment acquisition for testing and characterization
- Support for collaborative projects in aluminium transformation
Eligible projects & activities
Project Eligibility Summary: The NRC's Aluminium Technology Centre offers R&D facilities and expertise to collaborate on projects in the aluminium transformation industry, specifically focusing on improving manufacturing processes for lighter and more environmentally friendly products.
- Research and development collaborations in aluminium transformation processes
- Technological solutions for assembly process development and aluminium forming
- Integration of scientific infrastructure for adhesive assembly, welding techniques, and metallurgical and chemical characterization
Evaluation & selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The evaluation and selection criteria are as follows:
- Relevance of the project to the objectives of the Aluminium Technology Centre
- Technical merit and innovation of the proposed research
- Potential impact on the aluminium transformation industry
- Quality of the research team and their expertise
- Feasibility and likelihood of project success
- Alignment with industry needs and priorities
How to apply
- Step 1: Contact the National Research Council's Aluminium Technology Centre
- Content: Reach out to the centre to discuss your R&D challenges and project ideas
- Implications: Initiates the communication process and exploration of collaboration opportunities
- Step 2: Collaborate on project development
- Content: Work with the centre's experts to define the scope and objectives of the project
- Implications: Establishes a structured plan for the research and development activities
- Step 3: Finalize agreement and project plan
- Content: Conclude agreements on research contracts, services, or licensing arrangements
- Implications: Sets the framework for the formal collaboration and project execution
Grant Summary
The NRC's Aluminium Technology Centre collaborates with clients in the aluminium transformation industry to enhance manufacturing processes, creating lighter, cost-effective, and eco-friendly products. The center offers cutting-edge scientific infrastructure for aluminium forming and assembly process development.
Detailed Explanation of the Grant
The Aluminium Technology Centre at the NRC specializes in supporting the aluminium transformation sector by providing advanced technological solutions and access to state-of-the-art facilities. The center focuses on adhesive assembly, welding techniques (laser, friction stir, robotic arc), semisolid casting, forming, and extrusion, enabling evaluation of mechanical strength, environmental sustainability, and metallurgical properties.
With a large-scale laboratory housing robotic welding cells, a friction stir welding machine, and forming presses, the center excels in optimizing the welding of complex pieces, particularly aluminium components. It also delves into adhesive joining processes, utilizing cutting-edge technologies like atmospheric plasma treatment, IR spectroscopy, and DSC to enhance bonding characteristics and durability.
The facility boasts a variety of mechanical testing equipment for comprehensive testing to industry standards, including fatigue, impact, and creep mode testing. Utilizing predictive modeling and fracture testing, the center has developed a holistic approach to assessing the durability of structures assembled with adhesives, ensuring reliability under various environmental conditions.
In the realm of aluminium forming, the Centre focuses on processes applicable to the transportation industry such as castings, hot forming, hydroforming, and extrusion. Researchers have perfected the SEED casting process for cost-effective, high-integrity castings, ideal for automotive applications. Additionally, the center excels in aluminium hydroforming and sheet hot-forming, catering to manufacturers requiring complex shapes and lightweight parts.
The Centre's expertise extends to comprehensive characterization and analytical equipment, including SEM, optical microscopes, hardness testers, and 3D X-ray inspection systems. This suite of equipment allows for detailed examination of material properties, defects, and geometric conformity, essential for ensuring product quality and performance.
Collaborating with the NRC's Aluminium Technology Centre offers access to a diverse array of R&D facilities, specialized expertise, and opportunities for technology transfer. Through consortia, research contracts, and licensing agreements, the NRC tailors solutions to meet the specific R&D needs of clients, fostering innovation and enhancing competitiveness in the aluminium transformation industry.
