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CSIR research activities in laser materials
processing group are aimed at developing a strong knowledge
base to support various industry segments in our local industry.
The research group currently conducts research and development
in the following areas:
Laser welding
Research efforts are focused on the following research
areas in the laser welding field:
- Laser welding of dissimilar metals. Various material
combinations are investigated, including optimising mechanical
properties as a function of microstructure
- Laser joining of metal components utilising powder
consumables. Research is conducted to evaluate the feasibility
of this process and a possible substitute for more conventional
keyhole welding of medium thickness plates with specific
reference to Al 7075 and TiAl alloys
- Pulsed laser welding as a low average power solution
in joining of small and heat sensitive components
- Laser welding of aluminium alloys, specifically semi
solid casting of aluminium alloys
- Laser welding of titanium alloys.
Laser Metals Deposition
Research efforts are currently focussed on the following
research areas in laser metals deposition:
- Improvement of oxidation, corrosion and wear resistance
of laser cladded martensitic stainless steel
- Establish the capability to perform laser metal deposition
of magnesium and generative near-net shape build-up of
nickel-base, copper-base and titatnium-base aerospace
alloys
- Development of 3D laser cladding as a surfacing, refurbishment
and generative build-up technology
- Development of mobile laser cladding technology for
the surfacing and repair of large components.
Laser surface engineering
Research efforts are currently underway to study and optimise
new laser assisted surfacing improvement technologies, with
the aim to improve or enhance the properties of metallic
surfaces. The properties of the surface that are of interest
include, hardness, resistance to wear and resistance to
corrosion. Some of the current fields of study include:
- Research and development of advanced surface coatings
on aluminium and its alloys, through laser surface alloying
- Reinforce surfaces of ferrous and non-ferrous materials
with carbon nanotubes through laser alloying
- Develop techniques or methods for eliminating/reducing
stress corrosion cracking, through laser surface re-melting
- Develop modelling capability in the areas of ‘rules
of mixture” and laser-matter interaction.
Laser Micro processing
The laser materials processing group, in conjunction with
the micro machining group at CSIR Materials Science and
Manufacturing, also plans to start a new research programme
in micro machining with short pulse lasers at the CSIR’s
femtosecond laser facility. More specific research activities
within this programme are to be finalised. The initial focus
will be on:
- Characterisation of femtosecond laser machining in
various materials
- Application development.
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