Year

2023

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering

Abstract

Corrosion poses a significant threat to structural integrity, which results in surface degradation, mechanical failure, environmental pollution, and loss of life. Steel, a primary material used in various industries, has been subject to numerous corrosion prevention methods throughout history [1]. Protective coating has proven effective in extending steel structures' service life [2, 3]. Alloying, another essential methodology, involves adding alloying elements such as Cu, Cr, Ni, P, Si, and Mn to bulk steel. When exposed to a corrosive environment, these elements help form a protective passivation layer on the surface, thus protecting the material underneath [4]. Both protective coatings and alloying have their advantages and limitations. Applying protective coatings is time-consuming and expensive, requiring complex procedures for surface preparation and application [5, 6]. Alloying, on the other hand, involves adding expensive elements to the bulk material when only the surface is exposed to harsh environments.

Moreover, alloying could alter the material’s mechanical properties of the bulk material, which is not always desirable. Surface alloying is an exciting technique to alter steel’s surface properties without compromising the properties of the bulk material. It has been implemented for several different purposes, such as enhancing surface hardness, scratch resistance, corrosion resistance, etc. Although the current surface alloying techniques successfully reduce the material cost, their application cost is significantly high as specialized equipment is required to perform complex procedures.

FoR codes (2008)

091006 Manufacturing Processes and Technologies (excl. Textiles), 091207 Metals and Alloy Materials, 091299 Materials Engineering not elsewhere classified, 091399 Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified

This thesis is unavailable until Tuesday, August 12, 2025

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.