Friction-based Processing of Materials
Friction-based processing of materials is one of the fields of excellence in the Engineering Materials research group. Research involves fundamental and applied research in conventional and advanced engineering materials.
This topic includes established techniques, such as friction stir welding, applied to similar and dissimilar materials, and friction surfacing, a solution for thick coating and additive manufacturing. The viscoplasticity processing domain of materials has been used as an innovation platform for new advanced solutions, patented by Aalto University, for high value applications, such as hybrid friction stir channeling for thermal management of optimised multi-material components; friction flash to tube, enabling the production of seamless tubes, in open die condition, extracted from the flash continuously produced during the plunging of a consumable rod against a non-consumable rigid anvil; and through-hole extruded welding, for lightweight components made of metal and polymer-based materials.
Research is supported by dedicated digital control systems with integrated condition monitoring. Analytical and numerical modelling validated by thermal monitoring assists the development of tooling, mass and heat flow, as well as joining mechanisms. Microstructural analysis, mechanical testing with DIC and residual stress measurements are engineering methods applied to the investigation of the materials processed by conventional and new friction-based solutions.
Personnel: Professor Pedro Vilaça, Professor Hannu Hänninen, Professor Sven Bossuyt.
Aalto University research theme: Materials and sustainable use of resourses