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Welcome to ResearchSpace, the institutional repository of the CSIR. ResearchSpace is an open access electronic archive collecting, preserving and distributing scholarly digital materials created by the CSIR.

Recent Submissions

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Wear characteristics of laser-deposited AlCoCrCuFeNi high entropy alloy with finite element analysis

(2022-11) Dada, M; Popoola, P; Mathe, Ntombizodwa R; Adeosun, S

Wear is a destructive phenomenon and one of the principal causes of material failure in moving components during surface interaction while in service. AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy with its many properties is a potential material for aero-engine applications attributed to its outstanding relatively lightweight, high strength, good thermal, oxidation, and corrosion resistance properties. Hence, the investigation into the tribological behaviour of AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloys is essential to reduce maintenance costs and prolong the service life of this advanced material for aerospace applications. Most AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy compositions were fabricated via arc melting, which has been reported to have defects attributed to slow solidification, consequently reducing the mechanical properties of the alloy with limited reports on other fabrication methods. Therefore, there is a need for the use of advanced manufacturing techniques for fabricating these alloys to improve the tribological properties. In this study, AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy was fabricated via laser metal deposition. The influence of the laser processing parameters, rapid solidification, and the applied load on the tribological properties of the as-built alloys under dry conditions has been studied for aerospace applications. The counter ball rolling friction analysis was also investigated using COMSOL Multiphysics.

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High-temperature corrosion of Ti6Al4V and in-situ reinforced composites fabricated by laser additive manufacturing

(2026-09) Kgomo, Matsela TH; Masina, Bathusile N; Mathoho, Ipfi; Mulaudzi, V

This study investigates the high-temperature corrosion behaviour of directed energy deposited (DED) Ti6Al4V (Ti64) and its in-situ composites (TiC/Ti64 and TiBw/Ti64) in oxygen-rich NaCl- Na2SO4 environments at 300 °C, 600 °C, and 900 °C. DED produces refined microstructures with reinforcement phases distributed along grain boundaries, fundamentally altering corrosion mechanisms. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that TiBw/Ti64 exhibited superior resistance (activation energy: 282 kJ/mol) due to the formation of stable boron oxides (B2O3) that maintained protective layer integrity through self-healing mechanisms. TiC/Ti64 showed intermediate performance (276 kJ/mol), with TiC particles acting as oxygen diffusion barriers but undergoing oxidation at > 800 °C to form TiO2 and carbon residues. Unreinforced Ti64 suffered severe material loss (198 kJ/mol) via volatile TiCl4 formation that disrupted the oxide scale. Microstructural analysis demonstrated that AM-induced grain refinement enhanced oxide nucleation site density, while reinforcement distribution influenced galvanic interactions. These findings establish that in- situ TiBw/Ti64 fabricated by DED offers optimal performance for aerospace and marine. applications below 600 °C, with degradation mechanisms transitioning from surface oxidation to bulk volatilization above this threshold.

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Information ethics and social context as drivers of cybersecurity resilience in South Africa’s uneven digital landscape

(2026-06) Mukondeleli, Elekanyani; Siphambili, Nokuthaba; Molema, Bokang C

South Africa’s rapid digital transformation has expanded socio-economic participation while simultaneously intensifying exposure to cyber risks. These risks are unevenly distributed across society due to persistent digital inequalities, infrastructure gaps and variations in digital literacy. This paper argues that cybersecurity resilience in South Africa cannot be achieved through technical controls alone but must be grounded in information ethics and social context. Using an integrative systemic literature review, the study synthesises research on cybersecurity resilience, information ethics and socio-technical systems within South Africa and comparable environments. The findings reveal recurring socio-ethical patterns in which ethical governance, trust, digital justice, and community-level practices either enable or constrain resilience at the individual, institutional, and societal levels. The paper proposes a Socio-Ethical Cybersecurity Resilience Framework that integrates ethical governance, social behaviour, and institutional responsibility. The framework offers context-sensitive guidance for policymakers, educators and practitioners seeking to strengthen inclusive and sustainable cybersecurity resilience.

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Measurement integrity for cleaner air: Calibration and compliance in industrial emission monitoring

(2026-09) Dikgale, Moyahabo S

Accurate measurement of emissions from industrial stacks is critical for effective clean air management and compliance with regulatory standards. Instruments used to measure gas velocity and sample pollutants, including Pitot tubes and Cegrit samplers, provide dependable results only when supported by thorough calibration. This paper outlines calibration practices conducted using wind tunnel facilities at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which provide traceable reference conditions across diverse operational ranges. By documenting calibration protocols, correction factors, and uncertainty budgets, the study demonstrates how technical accuracy enhances the reliability of emission data. Case studies show that calibrated instruments improve dispersion assessments, facilitate compliance with South Africa’s National Air Quality Act, and furnish industries with credible evidence for cleaner operations. The results highlight that calibration extends beyond being a technical necessity; it is a critical bridge between measurement integrity, regulatory enforcement and the broader mission of sustainable air quality management.

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AI-BEI Portfolio

(2026-08) Business Excellence and Integration, CSIR

Artificial Intelligence's (AI) value is already being realised in the following ways: Productivity augmentation & reporting, Knowledge & information services, R&D, ethics & IP management. Its common value proposition: Speed + quality support + traceability + more time for professional judgement.