Additive manufacturing (AM) is a futuristic technology for rapid production of net-shaped or near-net-shaped components without the design constraints of traditional manufacturing routes. During the solidification of molten additive layers of metal, internal flow of the melt pool significantly influences the formation of the final microstructure, texture, defects and resulting residual stresses. Those features dictate the performance of the additively produced component’s structural integrity, reliability and the lifetime. However, most of the present understandings of AM processes were mainly obtained through traditional post process ex situ characterisation. Fewer details are known about real time mechanisms that dominate the dynamics and transient conditions associated with the melt pool evolution, microstructure and defeat formation.
Novel scientific understanding on how various physical mechanisms active in melt pools and dynamically influence the formation of the final AM microstructure and defects are expected to gain through this PhD project. The real-time experimental data obtained through advancements in fast synchrotron X-ray diffraction and imaging techniques are employed as the main tool, in addition to conventional optical and electron microscopy techniques. Comprehensive analysis of experimental data , using multiple software tools, will be required to reveal the comprehensive details of melt pool flow, thermal conditions while the formation of solidification microstructures and defects.
Funding Notes
Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree or Masters in Materials Science/Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering or closely related subject.
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