Metal Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Joining with Dissimilar Materials

Research Group Activity

Additive Manufacturing Group, Centre for Imaging Metrology and Additive Technologies, WMG

Project Description

Metal Additive Manufacturing (metal AM) is capable of producing almost fully dense parts, with mechanical properties similar to traditional manufacturing techniques but with cost control when complex geometry increases. However, it lacks literature regarding dissimilar metal AM joining, especially in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) process which could deliver high-resolution net shape components with complicated geometry that can't be manufactured using traditional technologies. Emerging trends in manufacturing such as light weighting, increased performance, and functionality increase the use of multi-material, hybrid structures and thus the need for joining of dissimilar materials. This project will look into the feasibility of joining two metal materials in the L-PBF process and study the interface and the performance of the joint component.

Student Level

Open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students

Location

This project requires attendance at a lab or office on campus

Skills you can learn from this project

Knowledge of metal additive manufacturing technologies Microstructural analysis methods (Optical microscopy, SEM, etc) Chemical composition measurement methods (OES, EDX, etc) Mechanical testing methods (tensile, impact, hardness, etc) Design of Experiments, analysis of data Collaborative skills, working in a team Presentation and writing skills

Required Skills

No requirement.

If you wish to apply for this project, fill in the form below including uploading your CV and personal statement, explaining why you want to do this particular internship project. Attachments must be in PDF format.

Project Team

Dr Bochuan Liu

Prof Greg Gibbons