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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/C009525/1
Title: Novel Cellular Structures for Enhanced Impact Performance
Principal Investigator: Cantwell, Professor W
Other Investigators:
Mines, Dr RAW Fox, Dr P Sutcliffe, Professor CJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Airbus Operations Limited Instron Ltd MCP Equipment
Osprey Metals Ltd
Department: School of Engineering
Organisation: University of Liverpool
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 11 October 2005 Ends: 10 October 2008 Value (£): 244,214
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Processing Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This project will seek to develop a range of novel, lightweight core materials for use in the manufacture of impact-resistant twin-skinned sandwich structures. Impact is a serious problem for the aerospace industry and it is widely recognised that the impact response of most high-performance sandwich structures is relatively poor. The core structures will be manufactured using a revolutionary technique called selective laser melting (SLM). SLM is a layered manufacturing technique by which parts of high complexity can be built from metal powder in relatively short timescales. The system uses a laser to selectively melt powder particles to form a solid material. The powder material can be any that can be melted by laser heating, including stainless steel, titanium and nickel-based superalloys. The SLM technique permits the manufacture of intricate core designs that were previously extremely difficult to produce.Once manufactured, the lightweight cores will be used to produce sandwich structures for possible use in high-performance aerospace applications such as fuselage and wing structures. The low velocity impact response of these structures will be investigated and their response will be modelled using advanced numerical techniques.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.liv.ac.uk