Senior Scientist, Group Head of Joining Technology Group, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, Singapore

Speech Title: Development of Nano-material Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites Using Laser Aided Additive Manufacturing
Abstract: The composite materials possess the combined properties of the metal and the reinforcement materials, which are superior to the conventional engineering materials. Properties of composites can be tailored by the addition of reinforcements to a metal matrix material to provide enhanced fatigue, corrosion and wear resistance. Due to the thermal and metallurgical mismatch between the metal matrix and the fillers and resultant cracking & delamination, limited manufacturing processes can be applied for fabrication of metal matrix composite (MMC) parts & components. The advancement of nano-materials and additive manufacturing technologies can overcome the challenges for processing of MMCs.
In this study, motivation and methodology for producing nano-material reinforced MMCswere introduced. The laser aided additive manufacturing (LAAM) process was developed to deposit the nano-material reinforced MMCs.The formation mechanism of the nano-material reinforced MMCs was interpreted. The relationships among phase change, microstructure and improvement of wear and mechanical properties in terms of hardness, tensile strength were investigated. By adding the suitable nano-particles to the metal powders and processed using the developed LAAM process, significant improvement of tensile properties and wear resistance can be achieved.