Research Projects

The demand for Copper and Iron-based Multi Metallic structures (MMs) in die and mold, power generation, and cryogenic industries is high due to their high thermal conductivity and strength. Fabricating defect-free Cu and Fe-based bimetallic structures is challenging due to their dissimilar thermo-physical properties and low solubility. Laser Directed Energy Deposition (LDED) is considered a promising technique for fabricating functionally graded multi-metallic structures. This work aims to fabricate a defect-free Cu-ss316L FGM using LDED and conduct extensive characterization to understand the influence of process parameters and chemical composition on microstructural features, mechanical, and thermophysical properties. Process parameters will be optimized using computational modeling and experimentation. Bimetallic and functionally graded joints of Cu-ss316L and Cu-Ni-ss316L will be fabricated at optimized process parameters, and the effect of Ni as an interlayer on residual stress and microstructure will be studied. Functionally graded joints will be deposited for two linear grading conditions (50% and 25%) to study the effect of composition gradient on microstructure, mechanical, and thermophysical properties. Microstructural characterization will be carried out using sEM and EBsD, while chemical composition will be determined using X-Ray Diffraction and EDs analysis. Residual stress measurement will be performed using XRD. The thermo-physical properties of the deposited samples will be measured using Laser Flash and Differential scanning Calorimetry.