The new research collaboration is set to significantly increase the life of important fencing infrastructure across Australia, cutting replacement costs and supporting local industry.
The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC), together with leading Australian steel manufacturer, InfraBuild, and Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, have embarked on a collaborative research project to develop more corrosion resistant steel products.
The project, made possible with $100,000 funding through IMCRC’s activate program, will modernise InfraBuild’s finishing process by introducing CSIRO’s solid state, low-cost additive Cold Spray ZAP™ technology.
CSIRO’s cold spray technology works by applying a high-strength, recycled corrosion-resistant coating to steel that produces more damage and corrosion resistant products, particularly in soil. By employing the use of robotic coating application technology, InfraBuild and CSIRO will develop a fully automated digital manufacturing production line, improving productivity and increasing cost competitiveness.
Bradley Taylor, Director of Technical at InfraBuild Wire, said the IMCRC activate project is enabling InfraBuild to explore the technology as an alternative coating option, advance its manufacturing process and create new innovative steel products for a number of sectors.
“As part of IMCRC’s activate project, we aim to develop high-value, cost-effective steel products that will deliver benefits to many sectors, from our primary producers and rural sectors to nation-building infrastructure.
“By integrating CSIRO’s Cold Spray ZAP™ technology in our manufacturing process, we will be able to manufacture longer-lasting, damage resistant, coated steel products that have the ability to withstand aggressive environments. Saving our customers money over the full life of each product,” he said.