Research Projects

The project proposes to alter Ti64 alloy powder with hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (hBN), a 2-dimensional material with high temperature stability, oxidation stability, and high thermal conductivity. The hBN altered Ti64 alloy powder is processed in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM) technology to fabricate parts for test and applications. The proposed work emphasizes the preparation of hBN 2D-nanosheets (BNs) and development of Ti64 composites reinforced with BNs. The project can be achieved through three phases: optimization of processing parameters for generating BNs from bulk hBN, preparation of BNs reinforced Ti64 composites using the LPBF method, and examination of microstructure, grain-size control, and melt pool geometry to tailor mechanical and wear characteristics. The project aims to create layer-engineered BNs, optimize the process for controllable distribution of BNs in Ti64 alloy powder, optimize laser processing parameters, develop BNs altered Ti64 alloy with unprecedented high temperature corrosion, wear resistance, and other properties, and investigate and analyze the corrosion and wear characteristics of hBN-Ti64 alloy composites.