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The University of Southampton
Engineering

Materials Processing Group

Additive Manufacture (AM) Processing for Enhanced Lifetime

The layer upon layer deposition and joining of material involved in additive manufacturing (AM) processes can result in materials and parts with unique microstructural features, properties, and corresponding performance. Our work is studying the links between processing, material structure, properties, and performance with a focus on laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) primarily of metal alloys. We use computational tools to estimate thermal conditions during processing, and correlate these with key microstructural features like cellular size and the presence of pores. As part of our work on Failure Mechanisms , we are linking microstructural features to the initiation and propagation of mechanical damage, and the expected lifetime of associated parts. We also investigate new opportunities to implement process modifications, such as spatial modulation of process parameters and heterogeneous multiple-material distributions, in order to tailor structure and properties, mitigate damage, and enhance lifetime.

Academic Invesitgators:

Dr. Nong Gao

Dr. Andrew Hamilton

Prof. Philippa Reed

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Severe plastic deformation (SPD)

A wide of range of SPD-processed materials including ferrous, no-ferrous metals and other special materials have been studied, covering their microstructure-property relationship, fatigue, creep, corrosion and tribological behaviours through experimental analysis as well as physical and FE models. With over 200 papers published in ISI peer-reviewed journal papers and more than 7000 citations and numerous invitations to present keynote papers, this group is working at the forefront of their field.  Research collaborations span the globe with partners about 20 countries.

Academic Investigators:

Dr. Nong Gao

Prof. Marco Starink

Prof. T.G. Langdon

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