Improved Durability Assessment for Lightweight castings (DuraCast)

Purpose and goal

The purpose is to enable increased use of recycled aluminum in load-bearing components by developing new design guidelines that consider defects. The goal is to combine fatigue testing and fracture mechanics to create more reliable lifetime assessments, promoting circularity and reducing the need for primary aluminum.

Expected effects and result

The project is expected to deliver new design guidelines for cast aluminum components with defects, based on fracture mechanics and fatigue testing. This enables safer and more efficient use of recycled aluminum, reduces the need for primary aluminum, and promotes circularity, providing both environmental and economic benefits.

Planned approach and implementation

The project will be carried out in four work packages: project management, mapping industrial needs, experimental testing (fatigue and fracture mechanics), and development of prediction methods through a master’s thesis. Results will be disseminated via reports and a workshop, laying the foundation for a full-scale project and new design guidelines.