HDR Scholarship - Additive manufacturing

Location

Geelong Technology Precinct (GTP), Waurn Ponds Campus

Research topic

The Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) process is a novel low-temperature solid state additive manufacturing approach that allows for fast and scalable manufacturing of metal alloys. It consists of a hollow tool through which the feed material is delivered. The rapid rotation of the tool generates heat through friction at both the tool-material and material-substrate interface. The feed material, heated and softened, is fed through the tool and bonds with the substrate at the interface. The tool also has a transverse motion which results in the deposition of a single track of material. Subsequent layer deposition make 3D parts. Due to the presence of complex heat generation and transfers, large plastic deformation and bonding, AFSD is a thermo-mechanical process whose physics are complicated to fully understand experimentally. Hence numerical simulations are essentials to help understand this technology better.

Project aim

There are a series of projects available. The main aim of these projects include developing and validating a new numerical approach to accurately model AFSD. This approach will be based on the Material Point Method, a meshless method that can easily handle arbitrary large deformation, and be used to understand the evolution of temperature and strain during the deposition. Validation of the model will be done using state-of-the-art characterization of metal flow paths using new strain mapping techniques and X-ray tomography. These projects will allow the development of a wide range of skills from materials science, metallic alloys, applied mathematics, computer science, and engineering.

Important dates

Applications will remain open until a candidate has been appointed

Benefits

This scholarship is available over 3 years.

Stipend of $28,900 per annum tax exempt (2022 rate)
Relocation allowance of $500-1500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
International students only: Tuition fees offset for the duration of 4 years. Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible you must:

be either a domestic or international candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
meet Deakin's PhD entry requirements
be enrolling full time and hold an honours degree (first class) or an equivalent standard master's degree with a substantial research component.

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for further information.